<p>Homework that does not help one master the subject matter is a waste of time for the teacher and the student. This is why students are taught the same math in ninth grade that has to be relearnt in college.</p>
<p>When I read posts about kids not doing HW and teachers feeling it not necessary I have much better insight into the incredible GPA's posted by so many kids. At our school, if kids don't do the HW they don't have the background to do well on exams or participate in class, it is as simple as that. Maybe the IB influence is part of the issue, but the reality is that the HW is an integral part of every one of my son's classes save one- which is the only biology class he could schedule and well below his level. </p>
<p>No one likes or wants busy work. If the teacher feels the student is not getting anything out of doing the homework, then perhaps the student and teacher need to figure out a more individualized program of independent work.</p>
<p>Learning to do HW is like many other school skills- habit building. Given that in life a great deal of credit is given for "showing up" I would be very hesitant to bypass the chance to develop the habits that HW builds- juggling, multitasking, understanding your own work habits, etc. etc. </p>
<p>For kids with ADHD a big issue is that they tend to be academic dabblers- not ever really becoming experts in anything. If your son is very accomplished/readily understands Psychology...it is a chance for him to become an expert, not a chance for him to skirt HW requirements....</p>
<p>There are multiple reasons for doing homework. It can help build fluency in a subject. Most of us do not struggle with 7 + 3 because we can identify it as a 10 instantly. The more fluent we are in a subject the less the brain has to focus on the basics thus allowing it to work on more complex problems.</p>
<p>Homework can let a student spend personal time investigating a problem that would take too much class time and which can be individualized for the student's learning interest and skill level.</p>
<p>Another reason to do homework is to get used to individual responsibility. If a student has not developed a habit of sitting down and working it becomes very difficult to develop that habit the freshman year of college, when everything else is going on around them.</p>
<p>I would argue that in your child's case an alternative homework designed to develop a greater understanding/appreciation for the subject would be reasonable. Tying this subject to your child's intellectual passion could be rewarding. </p>
<p>It is nice to be smart and talented, but without intellectual discipline so much can go to waste.</p>
<p>Agree with jamimom and mr.B. The teacher isn't doing your S any favors. An immature boy with no discipline will be a mediocre student, at best, in college. Who wants to roll a $175K dice on a boy with no discipline? Not me. Reinforcing work patterns and study habits is one of my main jobs--in a house of bright boys who'd rather not bother. </p>
<p>Personally, I would ask the teacher to assign something more challenging if she feels the regualr homework is beneath him. Has she 'given up' on an immature ADHD boy? </p>
<p>Just curious--why you think your boy, capable of AP psychology, would be relegated to community college?</p>
<p>Cheers - thanks for your input - your question...re: cc for S - he shot himself in the foot the second half of last year and got really terrible grades...so although he is applying to a few decent schools, it's dicey...it all depends on 1)whether he's admitted and 2)the financial aid situation. He knows all of this (including the potentially bad fallout from the screw up jr. year) so if he has to take a year at community college, work, and grow up a bit , so be it...he has very respectable SAT's, and overall a low B average unweighted, so we're rolling the dice.
PS to Mr.B -S has become very interested in Psych and thinking about majoring in it now (quite a switch from Comp Sci which was his interest for several years) - a challenging outside project may be just the right approach. Thanks for the suggestion.</p>