Beyond Measure

Rescuing an Overscheduled, Overtested, Underestimated Generation

De: Vicki Abeles

Narrado por: Cassandra Campbell

Now in paperback, the New York Times bestseller from Race to Nowhere director Vicki Abeles about how our schools can revolutionize learning, prioritize children’s health, and re-envision success for a lifetime.

Race to Nowhere, Vicki Abeles’s groundbreaking documentary about our educational system, tapped into a widespread problem in our nation’s schools: From high school to kindergarten, an entire generation of American students is being pressured to perform in ways that make them less intellectually flexible, creative, and responsive to a changing world. Vicki brought home how, as students race against each other to have constantly higher grades, better test scores, and more AP courses than their classmates, they are damaging their own mental and physical health.

Now in the New York Times bestseller Beyond Measure, Vicki continues this all-important conversation, seeking out success stories to inspire and instruct those who are eager to create change. We see examples of teachers who have cut the workload in half and seen scores rise; parents who have taken the pressure off of their kids only to find their motivation and abilities rise on their own; schools that have instituted later start times so that the kids are getting the sleep they need able to learn more efficiently.

Everyone is aware that the educational system is broken, and Beyond Measure reveals a personal, unique, on-the-ground perspective. From limiting the number of AP courses a college will consider to eliminating the competitive need to “do more than the next kid” and shifting emphasis in the admissions process to essay options over test scores. “With both heart and smarts, Vicki Abeles showcases the courageous communities that are rejecting the childhood rat race and reclaiming health and learning (Maria Shriver).” The result will help students succeed, not just on the race to college—but for life.

eye opening and essential read

I loved this book and recommend it to all parents! Do your kids a favor and read it.

Purpose over Performance

in the 80's, I grew up living the childhood the author describes. AP classes, SAT prep courses, every possible club that would pad my college application. Going to bed at 11 p.m. and waking up at 4 a.m. to be a student body officer, cheerleader, etc. - all in rural Idaho, where you would think a race to nowhere wouldn't prevail. It all shattered when my father was paralyzed from the neck down just prior to the spring break of my freshman year at Cal Berkeley (my parents had refused to pay for an Ivy League schooll). I've been on a journey to find more purpose ever since. Even at age 46, I still struggle with letting go of performance as an identity formed at childhood is difficult to conquer. Accolades to the author as I appreciate knowing I'm not alone in no longer buying into America's narrow vision of success. I transferred to University of Idaho for my Junior year (resulting in no Cal diploma) and while I later obtained a law degree from the U of U, I chose not to practice law as I didn't find fulfillment through traditional practice. I now have my own business development/ coaching firm, with a focus on purpose. I found a private school in Boise, Idaho for my children that supports the whoke child development the author speaks of. I absolutely love my life and do not regret the more purposeful, but seemingly risky, choices I made.