Documentary Sparks Dialogue About Student Stress

Think about your child's typical day. It could involve seven hours of school, after school sports and clubs, music lessons and hours of homework.

Last night at , parents and educators gathered to watch a documentary to learn about the stress and struggle of students today. The film followed over-scheduled and overly tired students, trying to navigate the system look at the end result of getting into an accredited university.

"Race to Nowhere," produced and narrated by California mother Vicki Abeles, chronicles the pressure to excel for students today. Abeles also chronicles her own children's lives, dealing with stress as it physically manifests in her kids through headaches and stomach problems.

"It sparked me to be more aware of the pressures I may put on my kids, because I do want them to be successful," said Jenniver Bongiovi of Colts Neck. "Standardized testing and the pressure it puts on kids is a big issue."

The film features several students across the country. Some were checked into stress facilities, battling eating disorders, and dropping out of school due to excessive workloads.

One parent in the audience said her son was assigned to read The Iliad by Homer, an ancient epic poem, over the summer. When he got to school, the class did not discuss the book, but wrote a timed essay and never touched the subject again.

But the problem is not one-dimensional. Folding into the mix are curriculum mandates, standardized testing, scholarship and college application requirements, athletics, the arts and community service, just to name a few.

"There has got to be a balance in what we achieve," said Keith Land, Colts Neck High School principal. "We have to ask ourselves; what does it mean to be a successful high school student?"

The film offered a call to action, asking communities to re-define what success means to them. Re-defining success and striving to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle for kids starts at the community level, by beginning to create a dialogue.

"Change in education moves slowly, and it begins with the community," said Nancy Locascio, Colts Neck Board of Education President.

There are many layers to look at when dealing with curriculum and the day-to-day load of the average student, including programs such as No Child Left Behind. And Colts Neck's new K-8 superintendent Dr. Fred Oberkehr said it is increasingly difficult as more mandates come down from the federal and state governments.

"There are people out there that are making decisions about education that shouldn't have that right," he said, adding that the dialogue between parents, teacher and administrators is extremely important.

But there is always another side to the argument, and Land said changing the expectations and curriculum may not make every parent happy.

"I receive phone calls every single day about why a parent's child can't get into this AP class or why I don't offer more AP classes," Land said. "Pressure is coming from all angles."

To learn more about the film and see trailers, visit RacetoNowhere.com. There is also a related social action website called EndtheRace.org