wisconsin amazes me

[Dougiefresh 0]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/01/21/homework.suit.ap/index.html

Boo freaking hoo. You know, someday you're going to have to work the whole year! Better you get used to it, kiddo.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

[justinb138 0]

Some parents amaze me... that kid and his father need to be slapped....

[masterrig 1]

What a pile of crap! Both the father and son, need to stand in a corner with an eraser on their head!


Chuck

[mr2mk1g 10]

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Larson and his son had acted as their own legal counsel.

Says it all.

[Rebecca 0]

Ya know what, while I do NOT agree with being litigious about homework (I mean, c'mon!), I am going to step up and say the kid has a point.

I look back on my summers with longing, and I'm glad I had them all to myself. Do you think I'm ever going to have that kind of time to myself again? In my life? I highly doubt it.

Besides, he wasn't planning to slack off - he got a job, which is a lot more than I can say for some teenagers.

When it's school time, it's school time. When it's vacation time, it's vacation time. He'll never be this young or have that kind of free time again - let him enjoy it!

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[craichead 0]

Well, he was also in the honors pre-cal class, which he could have more than likely opted NOT to take if he didn't want to do the extra work. If you're in an honors class, you should expect to be doing work above and beyond of what's required. I'm sure this lawsuit will look really good on his college applications.

_Pm

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"Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

[Rebecca 0]

Wait, was he actually in summer school, or did he just have homework? I re-read the article, and it wasn't clear - I thought it said he had homework from a regular school-year class.

If he was in summer school, then he needs to suck it up, you're right.

However, if he wasn't, then it's a different story.
I was in all honors classes in high school, and if they'd tried to give us extra work to do while we were on summer break, pandemonium would have ensued. Where I went, summer school was for slow kids, trouble kids, and smart kids who wanted to get ahead on AP credit. It wasn't for smart kids to penalize them for taking honors classes during the school year.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[craichead 0]

No, I don't think it was a summer school class. However, it sounds like he's in an honors "track," and he probably could've opted out of the honors track if he didn't want to do the extra work that the school/teacher assigned for the advanced students.

Disclaimer: I went to a private, college-prep school, so that may invalidate my 2 cents since this occured in a public school. I was in honors/AP classes 6-12, and sometimes we did get small assignments before the start of the school year for "refreshing" purposes. It wasn't "punishment." It's what we had to do if we wanted to stay in the honors track and keep up with the curriculum.

My school also required summer reading for the entire school (grades 5-12). There was a list of about 10-20 books for each grade level, and each student had to choose and read 3, then write a report or take a test on the books at the start of the year. Then in high school, we also had to complete 120 hours of community service. I always thought this was a good thing. Builds character and all that.

What's so wrong about expecting higher standards from an honors student? In a time where a lot of public schools are struggling to meet average, I'm glad to see a school that has higher standards for their students to meet.

I'm curious to know if 1) the requirements of the honors class were clearly stated when he signed up for it and 2) how much homework he was actually given.

On a side note -- Seriously, what does this lawsuit and whining say about this kid's character (or lack thereof)? When he gets to the real world and has a real job, is he going to bitch and complain when he has to take work home after the 9-5 office hours? Does he think an employer would actually hire someone with an attitude like that?

_Pm

__
"Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

[Casurf1978 0]

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Ya know what, while I do NOT agree with being litigious about homework (I mean, c'mon!), I am going to step up and say the kid has a point.

The kid was in an honors course. I took them in HS and they required some summer homework. It goes with the territory. If he wanted his summers free then dont take honors courses.

[miked10270 0]

Hmmm... I see a future and long term career for this kid - In the Camp Counsellor Field.

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[Kennedy 0]

In my hometown's school district everyone gets homework over the summer. There are reading assignments and various other BS.

I didn't mind as long as they didn't assign any papers/essays.

Also, my honors/AP courses never gave me more summer work than the regular courses. Then again, I don't think they assigned anything at all.

AP History may has assigned some documents and such for reading, but no "homework." Honors Forensics and Honors Calc didn't assign anything. It was the damned english classes (where some A students couldn't speech proper english) that really piled it on.

However, I have to say that there wasn't anyhting a motivated student couldn't accomplish in the last week before school started. (I know because I enver did anything before then)

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Casurf1978 0]

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However, I have to say that there wasn't anyhting a motivated student couldn't accomplish in the last week before school started. (I know because I enver did anything before then)

LOL. I remember those last minute scrambles to read and finish off some other assignments. I specifically recall tearing up my room looking for books and calling friends to see if they remembered what the teachers assigned.

I'll tell you one thing though. This kid aint gonna last in college. Wait till he has to read a couple hundred pages a week or pull all nighters.

[soulshine 0]

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The kid was in an honors course. I took them in HS and they required some summer homework. It goes with the territory. If he wanted his summers free then dont take honors courses.

I know when I was in HS you had to take honors or AP courses just to stay competitive for college admissions. It sucks but you weren't left with much of a choice if you wanted to attend a good college.

I agree with the view that the school year is for school and summer break is just that...a break. Look at the kids in Korea. They attend school, then a cram school, and then a tutor in the evenings just to stay afloat in their classes, and this starts in grade school for them. Only one in four of the children are able to keep up with the strigent requirements. Sadly, social standing, college admissions, future jobs, and even potential spouses look at your performance in school...from grade school until high school graduation.

Is this what you really want for your children? Sure education is extremly important for a secure future but there is something to be said for hanging with friends, fishing, and playing like hell during summer break.

Also, as it was mentioned before, it wasn't like the kid was lazy...he did have a summer job lined up. That's more than can be said for alot of today's youth. Just my 2 cents.

Bombing for peace is like fucking for virginity!
~DEVIOUS BEEF~~FGF #69~

[Kennedy 0]

Socialization is the most important thing a kid can learn. Reall, how many of us have worked for a boss who was a complete moron, utterly lacking in all practical skills, but knew how to schmooze and how to kiss ass?

That's what I thought.

Schooling is important, but there's more to it than just what the teachers goes on about in class.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[soulshine 0]

Umm, are you repling to what I said, or are you just making a statement in general?

If you are replying to me then yes, I have worked for a real ass of a boss. He was however an educated man. I don't see how much education a person has will effect their inherent personality.

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Schooling is important, but there's more to it than just what the teachers goes on about in class.

Yes, you are right here. Personally, I think the kid would learn more, and have more real world experience, working in a summer job rather than spending his time inside doing summer school work. Not all things can be learned in a classroom or from a book. It's all about balance.

Bombing for peace is like fucking for virginity!
~DEVIOUS BEEF~~FGF #69~

[kbordson 8]

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Boo freaking hoo. You know, someday you're going to have to work the whole year! Better you get used to it, kiddo.

Being a WI girl (transplanted by military, school, need to be distant from family)... I can understand the mentality up there. Both Madison and Milwaukee are very litigious. The easy answer is "sue them." And they do, both of my sisters have either sued or been sued about stupid stuffs. (and no, neither are doctors, lawyers or anything professional like that... ones a prior carni and the other a single mom working for the state) But the idea is that if you don't agree with something, get a judge to agree with you and then you are RIGHT. It truly disgusts me. No personal responsibility... no self integritiy... it's all his/her "fault"
Anyway.....

Karen