To Ms. Maxwell/Mr. Anhalt, People learn in different ways. The outlines are supposed to be an effective way to learn the material and act as a study tool later on. For those people who learn best by outlining and will use them later on, it is a fine method of learning. However, many know that they learn the material just as well when only reading and not doing outlines. In fact, many say they learn the material worse when doing the outlines because they are only re-copying what the book says and not thinking about what they are writing. The information isn\'t absorbed when doing this. As far as using the outlines as a study tool for the AP test, most prefer the AP books that can be bought at a book store. I present this petition as a means to make outlining optional. If a compromise must be made, make the outlines optional for a short time, and if test grades stay consistant with what they were, keep them optional. If test grades fall, assign them again. Please consider our appeal with an objective and logical state of mind. Edit: It has been brought to my attention that should outlines become optional, it would be unfair for those who continue to do the outlines to recieve no compensation in their grade. As the outlines would no longer be a part of our grade should they be optional, perhaps those who continue to do the outlines can turn them in for extra credit or for normal credit (and have their grades calculated out of a larger total). Another possible solution is different homework. Homework that forces thought about the text. Previous years had Pertinent Questions which seemed very effective. If anything, have an open dialogue in class about alternative options - that is all that we ask. Keep an open mind. Sincerely, Those signed below

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