Summer Class Vital for Students

Summer school: the somewhat enigmatic spillover of regular school into glorious, freedom-filled summer. Although annoying and time-consuming during a period when no one wants to think about school, summer school offers a potential lifeline to those who have received less than satisfactory grades and still wish to salvage their high school career.
Everyone can agree that having credits is better than not having credits, and summer school helps students who struggled during the school year to retroactively obtain those credits. Yet some believe that summer school can do as much harm to students in danger of failing as it can do service to them. While it is intended as a last-ditch safety net, some worry that students begin to intentionally rely on summer school to get the credits they need, and consequently slack off during the school year knowing that there will be opportunities to make up grades in the future.

It is true that if a second chance at something is available, there is less of an incentive for one to put in all the effort into a task the first time. The school year, with its inane repetition and colorful host of classmates and other diversions, makes it all too easy to become distracted and forget or ignore schoolwork. Yet students do have a reason to strive hard during the school year, regardless of the opportunity summer school provides. If a student gets an F in a course in either semester, summer school is mandatory. But if a student get a D, he or she is still able to receive credits towards graduation.However, most colleges do not recognize a D as a passing grade. Thus, if students want colleges to recognize that they have completed courses, they need to go to summer school.

Now you may be confused, and have a reaction like, “Wait, Richard! I thought you were trying to tell us why students have a reason to strive during the year- but you just pointed out they can still be recognized by colleges as having completed a course. You’re failing!” But there is a method to this madness. Even if one does go to summer school and snags those missed-out-on credits, it doesn’t actually alter their given grade or GPA for the year. So even though colleges will see they got credit, they also will still see that D or F. So, if one really wanted to show off his or her transcript or gain a competitive edge in the application process, he or she wouldn’t risk the summer school and would instead exert more effort trying to get a higher grade in the first round.

Plus — ­and I consider this a stronger point than the one above — who actually wants to spend time in school during summer? If I was a student who was lazy, disorganized, somewhat of a slacker, or all of the above — which, you know, I kind of am — then even if I hated spending time in school or chose not to do my work, I would completely prefer that over repeating the same stuff during the summer. I don’t think anyone intentionally slacks off in class with the thought process: “Oh, it’s whatever. I’ll just redo this during the summer, since it’s a viable option!”

The argument against summer school — that it is a coddling disincentive against students applying themselves to their studies — is one that can be made against many other similar programs or strategies. The ability to turn in late homework, make up tests, complete extra credit and the like — or even programs in the real world such as affirmative action or welfare — are all potential reasons for people targeted by these programs to not try their very best. And yet, a great number of these strategies remain in use, lending a helping hand to those who do fail and do need a second chance. We have safety nets like these in place because we recognize that some people just need an extra boost, that without help, people can fall through the cracks. It is best that those struggling receive help now, while they still can, before it is too late. Even if these supportive programs can be abused by those who try to cut corners, they must still be provided because many people genuinely need help, and because it is the right thing to do.