Community Invited To Watch, Discuss "Race to Nowhere"

Tolland Elementary Parent Teacher Organization is hosting a screening of “Race to Nowhere” on April 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Tolland Middle School auditorium.

The widely acclaimed film points to  "the silent epidemic in our schools” of cheating, stress-related illness, depression, and disengagement, according to the film’s website.

A big concern is that young people are arriving at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired because they were treated as a statistic in test scores rather than given an opportunity to take part in learning.  Director Vicki Abeles said in a letter that the goal of the film is to “raise awareness on a large scale, and to bring communities together to galvanize change,” she said.

TEPTO member Nicole Canavan, said she had many reasons for organizing the screening of “Race to Nowhere" in Tolland.

 “I kept hearing about the film from friends across the country, and it was the same message, ‘You have to see this movie.’ My curiosity was peaked.”

Canavan pitched idea to the Tolland PTO presidents to facilitate a showing. They were all in agreement and are excited to bring the movie to the town through TEPTO. Canavan also shared that her children are in elementary school, but she “has not yet experienced the pressures today’s teens are exposed to. As a parent, I do feel it is in my best interest to educate myself about today’s issues.”

Abeles, the film's director, proposes that “childhood has become indentured to test scores, performance and competition. We face an epidemic of unhealthy, disengaged, unprepared kids trying to manage as best they can,” which is another reason why Canavan feels so strongly about bringing this film and the reality it brings forth to the Tolland community.

“This is an important movie because it frames the multiple pressures and stresses placed on today’s students and brings awareness to how today’s competitive culture is affecting them,” she says. “Our education is at a point where we want to evaluate our students, but by focusing on who has the best test scores our students are not ready for real life and have to be re-trained for the work place.”

The Tolland PTO invites anyone who feels they have a stake in education including high school students, parents, educators and policy makers to come view the film. Canavan said bringing the movie to the community is an important step to create awareness across all stakeholders. TEPTO has taken measures to reach out to all parents and educators, as well as other local school systems. So far, they have sold over 125 tickets to Thursday’s screening.  

An open discussion will follow immediately after the film. Tickets are $10 online or $15 at the door (cash or check only). If you are interested in hosting a screening, fill out the request form on the “Race to Nowhere” website.