A ‘Race to Nowhere’?

No Child Left Behind. Race to the Top. Race Your Child to the Top Before They’re Left Behind? School’s just starting and the debate over education policy already sounds more intimidating than AP chemistry.

Is our culture of learning and definition of success driven mostly by these policies? How large of a role do teachers, parents or other forces play?

Race to Nowhere,” a documentary film by Vicki Abeles, looks at the pressure to perform in schools today. Here’s the trailer:

What is/was your school experience like? Are students today under too much stress?

Related:

Homework: A burden or learning tool? (Midmorning)

Teachers offer back-to-school advice (Midday)

Challenge Success (Stanford University School of Education)