I recently saw a screening of Race to Nowhere, a first time film by Vicki Abeles. The Washington Post covered a screening and stated, "the film has raised difficult questions about how to raise well-adjusted children at a time when schools seem test-obessed, advanced classes are the norm and parents worry that their children will not go as far in life as they have."
It paints the picture of children grades K - 12 who do not have the luxury to enjoy childhood. The demands they face on a daily basis would stress out any adult and many of these children are not equipped to handle them. They are overworked, over programmed, and continually reminded that the competition is just getting tougher. So get on that treadmill and keep on running . . . but to where?
Children and young adults are arriving to a place of stress, low self-esteem, cheating, drugs, and as the movie so clearly shows death. This is not a place for anyone and we need to re-think where we want our schools to take them. However, in this case it is not the school alone that is responsible. Parents need to be educated on what they think the BEST school is, may not be the BEST school for their child.
Spitting out facts and scoring high on tests should not be the factor in determining a student's success or for that matter a successful teacher. Successful learning should be looked at in many areas. What about creativity, compassion, individualism, critical thinking, and passionate learning? How can we reform our educational practices and promote learning through student interest? A strong, well designed curriculum can be used as a road map, but why can't we also look at alternative routes.
There is not a one size fits all answer. We need to look at creating a healthier environment in our schools through collaboration at all levels; administrators, teachers, students, and parents.
Remember not everyone gets to the finish line at the same time or in the same way or even crosses it. Let's look at how can we get our students on the right track and truly be successful at accomplishing their goals in a positive learning environment.
1 comment:
Another argument for looking at each child as an individual and making good choices for her. Those choices begin by selecting the best learning environment where teachers, administrators, parents and students are partners in learning.
Those environments must include individuals who take responsibility for their learning. A place where students are active in the learning process. Spitting out facts is not learning and scoring high on a test is not learning.
I totally agree that creating a healthy school environment that allows students to be successful as individuals is one way towards good education.
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