This is the con argument on whether or not school work in the summer is beneficial.  To read the pro click here.

I’m up at 6:00 a.m., in the car by 7:00 a.m., and at work by 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, all summer long.  I usually get home around 6:30 p.m., unless there’s an event that requires me to drive into the city or to the shore.  This is what my summer job requires of me, so when am I supposed to do math problems or read a book?

While I understand that teachers want to get a head start on the school year during summer vacation, students, particularly ones with summer jobs, cannot be expected to fill all of their free time with extra work.

At this point, teachers are asking students to give up their only free time of the summer to exert themselves further.  For teacher’s who are afraid that their material will be forgotten, a review session at the beginning of the year would be better suited than a rushed assignment during a busy summer.  Algebra or Spanish will only get more difficult if a student tries to teach it to themselves without a teacher there to guide them.

For those not employed during the summer, a vacation should still be a vacation.  For those in higher level classes that typically require a lot of summer work, they’ve spent the school year poring over textbooks.  Summer gives a chance to spend time with family and relax.

A college prep school is supposed to make students desirable to colleges. My job provided me with excellent letters of recommendation, work experience, and contacts with Maryland politicians and news agencies, helping me become more well rounded and appealling to colleges.  That experience is more valuable to my education than doing a packet of math problems.

Martha Schick is the Multimedia Chief for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.