BY ALICE MA

On Monday, Oct. 24 the Mamaroneck School District hosted a screening of the documentary “Race to Nowhere” in the Murray Avenue Elementary School auditorium. The auditorium was filled with school administration and parents from all parts of Mamaroneck and Larchmont. The screening was followed by an open discussion for everyone that attended.

The film calls for administrations, teachers, parents and students to take action against a supposed “silent epidemic” affecting the education system throughout the country.

The movie shows that, in the United States, children as young as eight years old are suffering from the immense pressure of getting into college and succeeding within a limited definition of success.

This pressure compromises valuable childhood experiences, family time and interest in learning among American students. The documentary makes it clear that this problem stretches across the board, affecting students from all backgrounds, regardless of gender, social class or ethnicity.

Media exposure and social networking make it increasingly easy to compare oneself with others. “Race to Nowhere” expresses the idea that Americans are beginning to define success by money, rather than happiness. Many high school kids simply say that they want to get into a good college, get a good job and then make a lot of money.

Parents want their kids to have the best opportunities, so they push them to become academic competitors in the world. Often, it’s overlooked that there are many other types of intelligence, including artistic or athletic intelligence. Many kids don’t realize that failing to get into a good college isn’t the end of the world, or even the end of your career potential.

No Child Left Behind and the administration of standardized tests require a specific curriculum, and the makers of the documentary believe these policies are compromising the depth and quality of teaching.

Learning is an important lifelong skill, but when schools focus on standardized tests, it often becomes a meaningless tool, only used to pass a test or get into a college.

Taught from the script, many recent high school graduates never learned the important skills or creativity that the movie claims are needed to succeed in the real world.

“Race to Nowhere” also challenges the assignment of large quantities of homework, which, according to the film, leads to a lack of excitement for learning. Countries that outperform the U.S. on international tests often give that outperform the U.S. on international tests often give less homework, proving that there isn’t a correlation between excessive homework and achievement.

The film was met with warm applause. In the post-screening discussion there were various reactions, ranging from defiance to approval.

A community member who first spoke challenged the necessity of standardized testing, saying, “I know my kid is doing well, can we put our foot down, and let someone else get the funding.”

A Chatsworth mother agreed that the skills required for the tests were very basic, and that the curriculum shouldn’t be centered entirely on those skills.

However, she argued that the tests are necessary because they show whether or not a student has the ability to move on to the next level or not. Another woman disagreed, saying that she wants to see more periodic tests, because the vague comments on her child’s report card are not enough.

A doctor testified to the stress placed upon children. She noted that, during finals week, psychiatric wards fill up with adolescents. Even hospitals see an increase in patients.

The doctor recounted a time when a young child sharpened some pencils so fervently that the sawdust got in her eye and caused cornea damage. The doctor recommended that the child see an eye doctor, but the girl’s mother insisted that her daughter had to take a test in the morning.

A particularly passionate mother disapproved of the homework in elementary schools. She said that she chose a public school because she believes that “the district provides diversity on so many levels.” However, she didn’t approve of excessive after-school activities.

She particularly thought that free-time for her children was precious, and that as a mother, she was responsible for her kids having a childhood. She attempted to persuade the audience to join her on the path of providing kids with more free time and, she believes, happiness.

Although there were conflicting opinions, the parents were sympathetic to the cause and simply want what is best for their children. Many agreed that in order to produce happy, creative and motivated citizens, the education system must be changed.

The parents of the Mamaroneck School District hope to bring about such a transformation in the future. Others believe that the education system is fine the way it is. In any case, “Race to Nowhere” has sparked an important discussion among the faculty, parents and students in the school district.