Should teachers assign homework over the summer?

No more pencils, no more books? Not so for many students, who are increasingly expected to complete homework assignments over the summer -- anything from reading lists to essays to intricate math problems. The practice is intended to combat the summer learning loss that affects all students. Though proponents argue that summer homework helps students maintain their academic skills, many students and their families resent mandatory work over vacation. In fact, in 2005, a Wisconsin teen sued his math teacher, the school district, and the state department of education, arguing that his school was outside of its rights to assign work before his class technically began. (The suit was dismissed.) Is summer homework an unfair burden to place on families, or is it a reasonable response to summer learning loss? Tell us what you think!