http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7141224/?GT1=6305 How much, when work is due left up to school board MILWAUKEE - A judge threw out a high school student’s lawsuit against mandatory summer homework, saying he and his father should have done a little more studying themselves before bringing the case. Students in the Whitnall High School math course — honors pre-calculus — were supposed to do three assignments by certain dates over the summer. Peer Larson, 17, and his father, Bruce, had filed suit in Circuit Court, arguing that homework should not be required after the 180-day academic year is over. The Larsons argued it was difficult for the boy to do the assignments because he had a summer job as a camp counselor. They also said students should be able to enjoy their summers free of homework. But it’s up to school boards to decide such things, Judge Richard J. Sankovitz ruled Tuesday. “Had the Larsons done a bit more homework,” he wrote, they would had learned that “the people of our state granted to the Legislature ... the power to establish school boards.” Bruce Larson said he had not immediately decided whether to appeal. He said the judge ignored a key issue — whether it was reasonable for a school to spring “three lengthy assignments” on students just before summer vacation began.
yea i hate the summer homework my teachers give. People supposed to have fun over the summer not do homework. The summer supposed to be a time of no worries. Last summer i had to read 2 books and do a chemistry cd thing that was super hard. I didnt do i anyway so it doesnt really matter for me.
I didn't mind summer reading, but summer Calculus? You've got to be kidding me. I'd rather have taken a bullet than do calculus over the summer.
The class that assigned the homework was a honors class, so if the kid don't want to do summer homework then tell him to get the out of the honors class. Let the ones that are willing to put up with the work take the class. And if he said he don't have time with other activites going on in the summer then life is about choices isn't it. Sometimes you got to assign priorities and do what you feel is most important to you with your time.
Not saying you are not good in school. It just shows the kind of attitude towards school work in the US by many students and parents.
Like me. I wouldn't sue over it. But I'm far more concerned with the character of my son than how he tests in school. I think a night or two off from homework is OK. I think a summer vacation can be a good thing. I'll gladly pull my sons out of school to go to an Astros day game...or have them take a week off for a family vacation. If anything, I think we're overstressed with school...the race for college..the race for achievement for kids. It's out of control. Life isn't measured by test scores. And it goes very quickly.
I guess I don't know what is the situation where you live. But here in my area I definately would not say the students are overstressed with school. Of course school work is not verything, but have you seen how many cashier or sales people couldn't do a thing if their calculator stops working for a second? It is truely sad sometimes. I believe there should be a balance and right now it is definately not tilting towards school work.
School and college are a huge joke. They teach you VERY LITTLE on what it takes to make it in the real world. There are many more important things that school could be teaching our children and young adults. Calculus in not one of them. Kids in high school should be enjoying their time, not worrying about a bunch of crap that isnt going to help them later on. In a very short time, that kid is going to have real problems and have to deal with real life. If he wants to be a camp counselor, let him. If he wants to work to make extra money to go have fun, leave him alone. Those 3 assignments are not going to make or break his senior year in precal.
Have you ever wondered why so many TAs in Math, Science, Engineering Depts at various universities are foreign students? Not everyone needs calculus, but if you want to do anyting in engineering or science, you most definately needs it.
You only live once. Which is why I'm estatic that the extent of my summer homework was a book to read for my English class the next school year. I read so many books during the summer that one extra one didn't phase me anyway. Let kids be kids.
I don't know about most of you, but I've been able to apply at least 80% of everything I've learned in college and high school into my work. The U.S. tends to sway away from schoolwork and have people buy into "experience." Sure, experience is highly needed, but the time one spends at school, and actually buys into it are statistically more successful than the NORMAL person that drops out. Sure, some might come up with the compelling argument of how certain Harvard dropout is not one of the richest man in the world, but that does not speak for a majority of people who are living comfortably. All in all, especially since this is a sports forum first environment, unless you have specific athletic skills that are superior than 99% of the population, college is your best bet at living comfortably for the rest of your life. It might and probably is not how many people might view the situation, but the knowledge of these courses, whether it be calculus or simple finite math, whether it's Physics or junior high science, the knowledge that you could acquire in those early years of your life where the mind is strongest for learning should be important to anyone's future.
I agree. You should go to college. But I grew up in the suburbs...achievement is a religion here, and it comes with costs. I'm not saying blow off school...or don't go to school. I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying temper it. I'm saying the high school kids who are all going to summer school so they can place out of classes in college might want to enjoy a summer off. I'm saying that homework that takes kids 3-4 hours every night in junior high might be excessive. I don't know about the inner-city schools. I'm not saying this is a problem anywhere. But I'm guessing where this kid went to school, it's similar to where I went. And similar to the area where the high school and jr. high kids I know today go to school. And I'm not all defending this particular circumstance...because I don't know enough about it from this little article. Not everyday has to be a furtherance of your career. Particularly when you're 16. It's ok to relax.
I dont care who your TA's are. I have a high school education and make more money than any of your TA's and more than most college graduates. I know money isnt everything but it sure doesnt hurt. I bet that you are a little college student or recent graduate that doesnt know real life. Just wait though, its going to happen soon enough and its going to be a huge wake up call. candlegreen, People with experience will beat out a person with "education" every day of the week and twice on Sunday. That happens because all of that crap that you learn doesnt apply to the real world. I love when students think they know so much about the real world and how things really work. You dont have a clue. You are sheltered and wouldnt know your ass from a hole in the ground.
Actually, if you did your hw you'd know that at most schools international TA's get to go to school for in-state prices (if it's public) and for a greatly reduced rate elsewhere. That's why so many TA's in EVERY area (not just the math/sciences) are foreign.
I totally agree students should not be required to do work over break (I am one). With that said, sueing over it is r****ded.
You don't have to have a good education to be successful in life. But a society as a whole needs many types of talents, that includes scientists, engineerings, researchers. Where did you think all the technology came from? I will bet that in the long run, a society with higher level of education will outperform one with lower education levels. If everyone was a NBA player, we will still be huting with arrows and bows.
