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The controversy over homework seems to be the same as the fable about the ant and the grasshopper. Schools countrywide have been warning that “grasshopper” kids who don’t do homework — which studies show is up by more than 50 percent in the last 20 years — may not have the skills they need to survive a metaphorical winter while the “ant” kids will be warm, well fed and secure. Sometimes, it seems a fable can be just plain wrong

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CalMatters is a Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. It works with more than 130 media partners throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences, including Embarcadero Media.