Film examines achievement culture

Geneva School District and the Geneva Coalition for Youth are hosting a screening of the film “Race to Nowhere, the Dark Side of America's Achievement Culture” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, in the Geneva High School auditorium. It will be immediately followed by a community discussion facilitated by members of the District 304 counseling and advising staff.

In this film, a concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded America's schools and children's lives. The film shines a light on the price young people pay for this “race to nowhere.”

High-stakes testing has replaced meaningful teaching and learning. Cheating is commonplace.

Stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant. Many young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

In the words of a student in the film: “You have to be smart, but also you have to be pretty, and also you have to do sports and you have to be involved in the arts, and you have to find something unique about yourself, because if you don't know yourself before you do all that, you're going to lose yourself.” — Kelly, ninth grade.

Viewing time is 85 minutes. For details about the film, visit racetonowhere.com.

Ticket purchases should be made at rtngenevahs.eventbrite.com. There is a $5 surcharge for tickets purchased the night of the event and that all ticket prices are fixed by the film distributor.

For details, contact Julie Pouilly at julie@genevacoalitionforyouth.org.