WHY SUMMER SCHOOL

This summer, just like last summer, I couldn't understand why many of the students didn't pass their classes during the school year. Not only did the students often perform well on tests, but they were able to quickly learn new methods of solving problems. Very few students seemed to have an actual problem with grasping the material. On the last day of school, I made it a point to speak with several of the summer school students about why they were attending summer school. Some of the reasons were mind-boggling. Others of them I could have guessed. Several students did not successfully pass courses during the school year because they missed too many days of school. Some of the reasons for missing school were legitimate (for example, illnesses); other reasons were inexcusable. A couple of the students missed school specifically because they were habitually disrespectful to teachers/administrators and were therefore suspended numerous times.

One student admitted that she failed courses during the school year because she frequently slept in class. As a result, she didn't know how to do her homework, and because she didn't do her homework, she eventually stopped going to class!!?? I asked her if she slept in class because she had a job or some other type of responsibility. Her response: she was up all night on the telephone!

The reasons the students gave for having to attend summer school are indicative of the motivation problems that plague our schools. It also shows the extent to which some children do not consider the consequences of their actions prior to making decisions. Furthermore, it shows that too many of our children do not have an appreciation of the value gained by investing in education now, even if it is at the expense of some fun and playtime. The mentality of so many of our youth is, to be quite frank, scary. I can only pray that we can figure out a way to right this train.