Why Summer Homework?

School is now in full swing. The world of homework and assignments has started again. Actually, for many students that world never stopped.

Summer homework is something many students, and parents even, have become more and more used to. Many AP and Honors classes give out summer homework to prepare students for the workload of the coming year. Teachers feel this is a good way to make sure the right type of students are in their advanced classes. It can also help students retain material they have learned previously.

Zach Knappenberger, teacher of AP Chemistry at Orem High, who gives summer homework says, “I actually thought about getting rid of summer homework and last years students all said, ‘Don’t do it. It’d be a big mistake.’”

His students found that having started the course having not forgotten what they had previously learned and memorizing the stuff that was really important, was a huge help to them on the AP test.

Harris Cooper, chairman of the department of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University says that “39 studies confirmed that, on average, achievement test scores declined between spring and fall, and the loss was more pronounced for math than reading.”

“I’m not sure if [the summer homework] impacts how successful they are on the AP test. I think they could be just as successful if we just started off day one.” says Allison VanOrden, the AP Language teacher at Timpview High School, “I think what it does is it makes what we do the first couple weeks much more valuable.”

There are many things teachers have to consider when assigning their summer homework. VanOrden points out, “I think in some classes where content is a big deal, like take an AP science class, I think summer work can really help them.”

Summer work can be very beneficial but can also be unnecessary. Teachers must remember summer is a time for students to have fun and free. This considered don’t take up more of their tien than absolutely necessary.

Bio
Latest Posts

Morgan Jardine

Morgan Jardine has found a love for writing over the past few years. She has especially loved gathering data for her articles. Other than writing Morgan loves to sing and spend time with little kids.