In this 2010 documentary, filmmaker Vicki Abeles presents disturbing evidence of the price children are paying for America’s obsession with test scores, “standards,” homework, and getting into the “best” colleges and the resulting narrow definition of school achievement. Interviews with children, parents, and experts like pediatrician Kenneth Ginsburg give voice to what has been until now a silent epidemic of stress, depression, cheating, and self-destructive behavior. At the same time, we are robbing children of time for unstructured play and their natural joy in learning—and coming close to destroying the profession of teaching.
An additional problem is the sleep deprivation experienced by many teens, in part because of long hours of homework. The Race to Nowhere staff is mounting a campaign about this problem. See article in the Washington Post.
Screenings of “Race to Nowhere” are taking place throughout the country. To find one and learn more about the film see www.racetonowhere.com.