text: All students should be able to begin the school year with similar foundations of the courses they are in. A teacher is able to design an assignment that will allows students to begin the school year with similar background knowledge. Having students start the year with similar foundations prevents an imbalance in academic motivation. Students may begin to feel unmotivated if an equal opportunity for learning isn't established in the beginning of a school year. Summer assignments designed by teachers also let students prepare more efficiently for a class. The students are able to gain confidence about a class since they are able to start the year off without having to worry about others having more background knowledge. A teacher-designed summer assignment allows students to begin the year with an equal opportunity to learn.