The College of Education Hosts "Race to Nowhere"

In an age where students are pushed to the brink by their parents' high expectations for achievement, consequences arise in alarming ways: suicide, demanding schedules, and academic dishonesty—all resulting in calloused young people who just don't care. The College of Education hosted the viewing of Race to Nowhere, a controversial film that shows the dark side of achievement that many are not aware of, to a full house in the NEIU Auditorium Theater.

Directed by Vickie Abeles and Jessica Congdon, Race to Nowhereis an alarming reflection of the results of pushing young people too hard in schoolwork, sports, and community service. Abeles, an attorney, admits in the film that her own family had difficulty with nightly homework battles, and that her daughter was suffering from stress-related disorders.

Contrary to modern myth, the film argues that the push for educational excellence, competitive sports, and outstanding community service is not necessarily the answer for all students. There needs to be balance in life's different areas of home, family and school; young people need time to create, play, and discover their inner selves – not be over-scheduled to the point of no return.

The film offers Devon Marvin as evidence of our over-burdened education system that emphasizes "teaching to the test" over fundamental human needs.  Thirteen year-old Devon was a "normal" straight-A middle school student who committed suicide one week after she received an F on an algebra test. While Devon left no note and spoke to no one about her frustration, she took her own life one afternoon when she was supposedly working on her algebra homework.

"The only thing I can think of is that she had this internal pressure, and she was torn up about this math grade," said her mother, Jane Marvin in the documentary. "This child was so successful on so many fronts, and then there was this stupid math grade."

Race to Nowhereis a demand for change that includes such revolutionary new ideas as The Blue School, co-founded by Charles Wink; The Blue School is brainchild of Wink, who is also one of the founders of the Blue Man group.

"The Blue School is dedicated to a new outrageous idea: We want to create an educational program where creativity is cherished and encouraged and where children fall in love with the joy of learning," said Wink.

According to Sara Bennett, author of The Case Against Homeworkand who appears in the movie, "There is so much more in a child's life than school that excessive homework deprives children of the sleep, play and exercise they need for proper physical, emotional and neurological development."

The film claims that since 1983, when educational standards began being utilized, there has been a radical upswing in the amount of homework given to students.  Because the amount of money a school or teacher is given is based on test scores, they tend to push it for a bonus check.

However, the refreshing thing about this documentary is that it doesn't cast blame on any particular group of people, unlike the documentary "Waiting for Superman," which casts derision on unions and teacher tenure. It brings the subject to light with the goal of hopefully bringing about a change in our broken education system that values test scores over humanity.

The screening was then followed by a fascinating panel discussion moderated by April Nauman of the Reading Department and Steve Wolk from the Teacher Education Department. Dr. Charles Pistorio, from Counselor Education, Dr. Durene Wheeler, of Educational Foundations, Dr. Mark Melton of Special Education, Jessica Lifschitz, a classroom teacher in Northbrook, and Nick Aquino and Julie Klien, reading specialists from Aspira Early College, all engaged in a riveting discussion about this topical film.

Dr. Wheeler emphasized that education needs to be a collaborative effort, and that she felt the film represented only one side of the story; she also noted that aside from a nod in the direction of minority representation, it really doesn't tell the story of urban, African American youth today.

Throughout the discussion, the importance of recess and the value of creative play were explored. The fact that schools are designed to work in the best interests of the adults in charge was offered as a factor that works against children being excited about education.   

One speaker noted that while ideally all teachers (and parents) want their students to go to college, it is important to remember that there is nobility to be found in the trades: there is nothing wrong with a student who chooses to be a barber, car mechanic or carpenter. The truth is that learning is a lifetime skill to be cultivated and nourished through genuine engagement.