Should teachers be able to assign required summer reading?

Do you think students should be assigned school work, or perhaps a book to read, during their summer hiatus?

I think it's ok to offer a reading list but it should be optional. Summer break belongs to the kids to enjoy.

As a teacher myself, I do give out a number of assignments well in advance, and over summer/semester breaks. Granted it is college level I teach, but I give the option for those who want to dig in and/or jump ahead, to do so at their own pace. Those who don't, still need to complete the assignments by their due dates, but I do it out of fairness to give as much time to get the homework done, as I cover a lot of material in a short time.

It doesn't hurt but it shouldn't be mandated.

I can't see a point to requiring something for students you no longer teach.

I wonder why teachers don't send a note to parents about what kids should be working on during summer to best transition into the next year. I contacted every one of my son's future grade teachers at the end of the school years to see what we could work on and NOT ONE got back to me.

Forgiveness Man wrote:I can't see a point to requiring something for students you no longer teach.

Our summer reading lists were for the grade we were about to enter.

Nah when you think about how some of the students won't be back in the fall and how new students are gonna come in, assigning summer assignments seems silly.