Race to Nowhere airs on local PBS stations Sept 25- Oct 5. About education reform's dark side.

[madfloridian]

Here's where to check your PBS station, and also more about the film.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025593864

[antigop]

1. thanks, mad. The stress on teenagers these days is killing them. And taking all of these AP classes

is a big part of the problem.

It's totally unnecessary.

AP classes didn't exist when I went to high school, yet all of my friends went on to college and graduate school.

We're burning out our kids. It needs to stop.

[Ka hrnt]

2. As a teacher I have no problem with AP

I think the AP (and IB/AICE) are a necessity these days. With the rampant grade inflation it's hard to tell who is really college material and who is not; this may be the best way. (Not to say it's necessary a good way, just the best we have right now.) It's basically an informal "college track/vocational track" split like they have in other countries.

But I do agree we're burning kids out. Florida, in its genius, nearly made chemistry a graduation requirement. Thank goodness someone with a brain intervened or we'd probably be looking at a disastrous graduation rate. If only actual educators were making the decisions, rather than politicians who know absolutely nothing about the field they're overseeing/regulating. (Case in point: Arne Duncan.)

[antigop]

3. as one who has experienced firsthand (relatives and friends) -- the problem is the AP courses

at least in our state.

The schools pressure the students to sign up for multiple AP courses, The students are burned out, stressed out, and absolutely hate school.

If you watch the "Race to Nowhere" trailer you'll find that I am not alone.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1124&pid=8393

The students actually think they're going to get college credit. The reality is, when you look at the statistics, many don't.

AP is a money maker for the test company.

[daleanime]

4. bookmarked

Thanks!

[liberal_at_heart]

5. I just watched it. It was amazing. Those Blue schools sound like they could be the future

of education. That's the kind of charter schools we need.