Although it may be summer, students registered for a number of Advanced Placement courses at Jackson High School are hitting the books.
When it comes to succeeding in the rigorous classes, a little summer preparation can be beneficial in the long run, said Karst Brandsma, Everett School District’s associate superintendent for instruction.
Some social studies and English teachers are getting a jump start on the fall and have assigned homework to be completed for the first week – or even day – of school.
Teachers have been doing so for years, he said.
“I think it’s growing, and getting kids a head start and an opportunity to get ahead is a good use of summer time,” Brandsma said.
AP classes’ schedules are tight throughout the academic year, and making a good use of time is important, he said.
“Some AP classes require extensive reading, and … it seems in some cases to make better sense” to require students to begin studying during the summer, Brandsma said.
Jackson Assistant Principal Larry Fritts agreed.
“For every AP subject, there’s too much material to cover” in one school year, Fritts said.
Most of the requirements revolve around reading assignments, such as reading chapters from text books and articles and writing responses to the readings.
Todd Aagard, president of Jackson’s AP booster club, said some of the school’s best AP courses require work during the summer, and students benefit from the extra work, even if it does take a little time away from other summer activities.
Jackson principal Terry Cheshire said that requiring students to complete some work during the summer may be a growing trend, considering the pressure on students to perform well, particularly on standardized tests, like the Washington Assessment of Student Learning.
Brandsma said studying during the summer also can help keep students thinking academically and prevent a possible loss of fundamental skills.
Brandsma said while there are many options for ways teens can spend their summer, this “gives kids a positive use of their time.”
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