School Today is a Race To Nowhere
The testing movement of today’s achievement culture has left the modern day student racing to nowhere. That is the premise of the educational documentary, A Race to Nowhere: the Dark side of the American Achievement Culture.
In the film; director, mother and educational advocate, Vicki Abeles paints the picture of today’s youth through their own words. Students speak of unmanageable schedules, piles of homework and lack of sleep and nutrition. Educators speak of teaching to the standards and no room for innovation. Academics speak of research in the areas of sleep, homework and higher-level thinking. Candid interviews with students, parents, educators and academics leave the viewer wondering how our educational system ended up this way.
The movie challenges parents, educators, administrators and community leaders to pick up their beds and walk toward a more right size education that prepares the youth of today for life. The grassroots movement of reform has started by people spreading the word, joining the cause on-line and viewing or sponsoring a screening of the film. The Race to Nowhere Facebook Page has over 8,700 participants since the movie’s release earlier this year.
The Sunset 5 Theater in West Hollywood is screening the movie for one week beginning September 10. It will also be screened at Santa Monica High School on September 22nd. Additionally, in conjunction with National Child Health Day, the film will be released nationwide through co-sponsored local screenings across the country on September 30th, October 4th, October 26th and November 4th. On these nights, screening will occur in hundreds of theaters and schools across the country. Hopefully, many parents, administrators, educators, students and community leaders will view this film to jumpstart the possibilities of positive change.
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