Race to Nowhere Screening

Race to Nowhere, the startling documentary about our nation's flawed school system, will be screened at Concordia College.

From Concordia College:

A concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded our schools and our children's lives, creating unhealthy, disengaged, unprepared, and stressed-out youth.  "Race to Nowhere" points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, students are disengaged, stress-related illness and depression are rampant, and many young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.  

Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people in all types of communities who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren't developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what's best for their kids, "Race to Nowhere" is a call to action to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing, and leading citizens.

In a grassroots sensation already feeding a groundswell for change, hundreds of theaters, schools and organizations nationwide are hosting community screenings on Thursday, December 2d in conjunction with National Child Health Day.  Tens of thousands of people will come together, using the film as the centerpiece for a growing national dialogue on how we can end this "race to nowhere."

 "As a mother, I experienced the stress firsthand and realized that no one was talking about it," says Vicki Abeles. "I saw kids who were anxious, depressed, physically ill, checking out, abusing drugs and, worst case, attempting suicide. I felt compelled to speak out about this crisis by making a film and giving voice to the students, teachers, and parents.  I wanted to expose a deeper truth about our education system.  We are graduating a generation of robo-students, unable to think and work independently, creatively, and collaboratively."

School reform has become an urgent national issue and 2010 is the year of the education film. "Race to Nowhere" is the only film that shows what is actually happening to our kids as a result of current policies and practices obsessed with testing, performance and competition rather than meaningful teaching and learning. "Race to Nowhere" finally gives voice to those on the front lines who are most affected by education policies—the students and teachers themselves. "Race to Nowhere" is the only film to spotlight the intersection of health and education.  The film empowers everyone to get involved and take ownership of what's happening in our schools and communities.

"Every once in a while, a film comes along that has the potential to change the culture," said New York

Times best-selling author Rachel Simmons (Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls).  "'Race to Nowhere' shines a light on the crisis of learning and meaning facing American education. The film is both a call to arms and a beacon of hope, a source of relief and outrage and a way forward for all of us."

"Race to Nowhere" will be shown Thursday, December 2 at 7:30pm in the Sommer Center on the Bronxville campus of Concordia College.  Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, and may be purchased online at www.racetowhere.com.  For more information, call (914) 337-3203, x1008.