You can always tell Labor Day at the Trevelise household because it always consists of my wife fighting with our sons over the homework they've been assigned to do from the previous school year, which is now due the next day.

She brings me in as the enforcer to back her up in making sure they get it done, but I do it reluctantly since I don't believe they should be getting any summer homework at all.

It's not like they are going to forget how to read or write in the two months that they are off. Most kids who like to read and will probably pick up a book, but it will be because they are interested in it, not because they're forced to.

My sons have to read a book, but that's not enough. They must also write a sloppy copy (a draft) of an assignment. I can't tell you how much “sloppy" suits them. As if that's not enough work, they must also create a poster about the book. Guess who helped with that?

The only thing missing from their task list was "produce a full-length feature film," which I guess will come with next summer's homework.

Anyway, here are seven reasons why there should not be summer homework in New Jersey:

  • ENOUGH ALREADY. They just did 180 days. Let them have the summer off. There will be plenty of homework to do when they get back!
  • It puts unnecessary stress on going back to school, which has enough stress on it already. Especially if the last day of vacation is arguing about the homework that still hasn't been done yet.
  • Students don't know their new teacher well enough to know what he or she will want in the homework, which will make it harder for them to get good grades.
  • The grade is meaningless, since in most cases it doesn't count for anything. I've had teachers call my show to say exactly that.
  • Teachers should be moving forward with their new school year curriculum rather than grading and dealing with someone else's assignments.
  • Students don't really learn anything from it since it's a necessary evil that they are forced into.
  • It puts aggravation in the household, which is only the beginning for the next 180 days!

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