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Beyond Measure: Rescuing an Overscheduled, Overtested, Underestimated Generation
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 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.
Race to Nowhere, Vicki Abeles’s groundbreaking documentary about our educational system , tapped into a widespread problem in our nation’s 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.
304 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2015
23 people are currently reading
795 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Abeles
3 books10 followersVicki Abeles is a documentary filmmaker, author and passionate education advocate. Abeles began her career s a Wall Street attorney and turned filmmaker in 2007 when she co-directed the award winning documentary, Race to Nowhere, a vivid portrayal of the pressure-cooker culture dominating America’s schools. Abeles' new film shares a title with her book, Beyond Measure, and features schools on the cutting edge of innovation. She is a parent of three and lives in the Bay area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 10, 2016
A couple of months ago I watched the documentary "Race to Nowhere" (also created by the author of this book) on Netflix. As a former teacher and new parent I found its message upsetting and also largely true. Schools, and our culture in general right now, are suffering from too great an emphasis on narrowly defined "success" in academic and other arenas. Too much of our time and resources are devoted to test scores, resume boosters, and grades for their own sake at the expense of our (and our children's) health, time, and opportunity to learn deeply and richly.
Personally, I believe the problem in schools is just a symptom of a larger problem: When we do not intentionally reflect on and transmit our values and beliefs about the purpose of life and the source of individual worth to our children, then materialism, outward performance, and approval-seeking jump in to fill the void. We as parents, teachers, school systems etc. must do a better job of teaching our children what is truly precious and valuable in life.
The first half of this book is basically a recap of the message of the film. The second half is devoted to telling the stories of parents, teachers, and school administrators who have made positive and effective strides toward change. It is somewhat hopeful, but also frustrating to read because while I felt a huge call to action, I simultaneously felt that no action short of starting my own school would really be satisfying.
I think this book is a must-read for parents and educators (or at least watch the film!), not so much because it's an outstanding book, but because the message it contains is so important.
Personally, I believe the problem in schools is just a symptom of a larger problem: When we do not intentionally reflect on and transmit our values and beliefs about the purpose of life and the source of individual worth to our children, then materialism, outward performance, and approval-seeking jump in to fill the void. We as parents, teachers, school systems etc. must do a better job of teaching our children what is truly precious and valuable in life.
The first half of this book is basically a recap of the message of the film. The second half is devoted to telling the stories of parents, teachers, and school administrators who have made positive and effective strides toward change. It is somewhat hopeful, but also frustrating to read because while I felt a huge call to action, I simultaneously felt that no action short of starting my own school would really be satisfying.
I think this book is a must-read for parents and educators (or at least watch the film!), not so much because it's an outstanding book, but because the message it contains is so important.
August 27, 2015
A parents take on the problems in education offers some concrete actions.
February 7, 2017
If this is as prevalent as her book makes it sound, this is definitely not what I want for my daughters. I taught in South Korea for a decade and I've seen up close the horrible way a system focused on tests/homework/scores plays out. The overscheduled kids, the lack of sleep, the disengagement. I mean, they all learn to cope, but we should aim higher than cope for our kids. I think the biggest idea for me here was framing it as the schools don't get to choose how my kids spend their home time. And especially not in homework, which is such a waste of time generally.
July 7, 2020
If I had read this in my first couple of years teaching, this would be a 5 star review for sure. The message and suggestions to improve schools in his book are all needed. However, this was the exact wrong time to read this book...
Most of the book builds the “why” for school change, which gets frustrating when you are already bought in to overhauling the system and initiating change. Also- “over scheduled” isn’t the COVID reality so was hard to read about now.
In all- this is a great read (or watch- the accompanying documentary) for districts looking to build the case in their communities for inquiry and project-based instruction.
Most of the book builds the “why” for school change, which gets frustrating when you are already bought in to overhauling the system and initiating change. Also- “over scheduled” isn’t the COVID reality so was hard to read about now.
In all- this is a great read (or watch- the accompanying documentary) for districts looking to build the case in their communities for inquiry and project-based instruction.
October 30, 2023
Abeles discusses what we need to talk about - the commodification of our kids and their futures that we simply have allowed and continue to allow to happen. Hopefully parents teachers and educators realize that what we're doing isn't working. Abeles touches on the seriousness of which we're dealing with - showing us examples of the immediately affected. However the long term consequences of what's happening on each child's life - well, the country will suffer as a whole which doesn't bode well for any of our futures. The Bush era no child left behind, followed by the common core, and all the testing that our kids endure - do not help our kids think critically. All the evidence (i.e. Finland Japan Korea and certain American schools who get it right) points to supporting our teachers - as they are on the front lines of education impacting our kids lives imparting what they can.
Abeles points to also changing our programs to reflect actually supporting the kids thru long term relationships between kids / teachers / advisors / principals. The constant busyness doesn't help anyone deeply learn. it's prevalent and easy to see that project based learning is a start but it's not the end all be all. More needs to be approached and explored.
How Children Succeed by Paul Tough (talks more of lifting kids out of poverty thru education) and the smartest kids in the world by Amanda Ripley (follows kids who study in these high rigor schools in countries that are not their own - she also talks of successes later in life of - the kids who become adults) and this book all point to the same thing - each work complements the other. And yet. Still very few do anything about it. If you've no time to read these I urge you to explore the NPR podcasts on education in the U.S.
Finland is the worlds indisputable leader in well rounded education, meeting each kid where they are. , displaying critical thinking when it's called upon which is often. Rote memorization is a basis of u.s education. Not really helpful when equipping kids for their futures. The homework that is so much a part of the problem Abeles discusses - it's clear that homework doesn't assist in showing kids what it means to think critically.
The book itself reads easily and flows well. She talks about admissions and how some have stopped using tests alone and instead look at the whole child. Recently Harvard announced it would accept GREs to attend their law school instead of just demanding LSATs. Wow. Is the rest of the education field taking notice and will start changing? There is some change which is great to see. So much of the kids lives are wasted on worthless test prep memorization instead of deep learning. And our kids are cheated out of that time.
She talks a lot about wellness which speaks to me personally. Taking time to be physically active, mentally well and actively squash unmanageable stress from our lives speaks loud and clear to me. Making family time a priority so that parents can actively support kids - and even tho she doesn't mention this, so that kids can support parents just as well thru meaningful family time - is the beginning of being well.
She also discusses what we can do by way of engagement with the school community and start addressing changes now that can help support all students.
I really enjoyed this book and felt she covered what she aimed to tackle. Thank you for this book. It's just part of the story but an important part we need to pay attention to.
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway and the review is my own.
Abeles points to also changing our programs to reflect actually supporting the kids thru long term relationships between kids / teachers / advisors / principals. The constant busyness doesn't help anyone deeply learn. it's prevalent and easy to see that project based learning is a start but it's not the end all be all. More needs to be approached and explored.
How Children Succeed by Paul Tough (talks more of lifting kids out of poverty thru education) and the smartest kids in the world by Amanda Ripley (follows kids who study in these high rigor schools in countries that are not their own - she also talks of successes later in life of - the kids who become adults) and this book all point to the same thing - each work complements the other. And yet. Still very few do anything about it. If you've no time to read these I urge you to explore the NPR podcasts on education in the U.S.
Finland is the worlds indisputable leader in well rounded education, meeting each kid where they are. , displaying critical thinking when it's called upon which is often. Rote memorization is a basis of u.s education. Not really helpful when equipping kids for their futures. The homework that is so much a part of the problem Abeles discusses - it's clear that homework doesn't assist in showing kids what it means to think critically.
The book itself reads easily and flows well. She talks about admissions and how some have stopped using tests alone and instead look at the whole child. Recently Harvard announced it would accept GREs to attend their law school instead of just demanding LSATs. Wow. Is the rest of the education field taking notice and will start changing? There is some change which is great to see. So much of the kids lives are wasted on worthless test prep memorization instead of deep learning. And our kids are cheated out of that time.
She talks a lot about wellness which speaks to me personally. Taking time to be physically active, mentally well and actively squash unmanageable stress from our lives speaks loud and clear to me. Making family time a priority so that parents can actively support kids - and even tho she doesn't mention this, so that kids can support parents just as well thru meaningful family time - is the beginning of being well.
She also discusses what we can do by way of engagement with the school community and start addressing changes now that can help support all students.
I really enjoyed this book and felt she covered what she aimed to tackle. Thank you for this book. It's just part of the story but an important part we need to pay attention to.
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway and the review is my own.
December 17, 2015
As an educator, writer of Engage! Setting the Course for Independent Secondary Schools in the 21st Century, http://amzn.com/1511459085 college counselor, and former independent school administrator, I recommend this book and film. Beyond Measure provides parents with the tools to change their schools' culture and homework policies. The homework situation is out of control. My students stay up to 1 AM every night dong homework. Others are being tutored 2-4 hours almost every day after school and another 7 on weekends. They have a major multi-part assignment due on 12/31--during break! This is insane and all because teachers, parents and administrators believe that it ...what? Prepares students for college? It emphatically does not.
1. I have 400 pages of research demonstrating that more homework has not be proven to contribute to student achievement --or love of learning. There is very clearly a law of diminishing returns (in excess of 15 hours per week on the high school level is counter-productive) and we are far past that point in many of our schools.
2. That schools are not preparing our students adequately for real life in the 21st century is a given, but more homework is NOT the answer. Take a look at the assignments. They can easily be completed in class if they are worth doing at all. Our students should NOT be memorizing lists of facts that they can easily retrieve from their smart phones in a minute or less. They should be developing skills. That can be achieved through rigorous relevant projects, not rote facts. The school I served as Founding Chief Academic Officer had a diminished homework load and our students were accepted at CalTech, Yale, Cornell, Pomona, Columbia, etc. They published in peer-reviewed journals, won prestigious awards, etc. Oh, and no AP/IB/Cambridge curriculum either.
3. With fewer classes and a looser schedule, the workload in college is far less than that of high school. The statistics are very clear about how little time students spend on work in college. They have enormous amounts of free time there. High school has become a kind of hell for many students and there is no reason for it. The research is clear that high schools should be operating on a schedule of 4 classes a day for 90 minutes each NOT 8 periods of 45 minutes each. The block schedule reduces stress on students (and teachers) and permits more time for collaboration.
With Abeles's tools in parents' and educators' toolboxes, we can provide a more healthy environment for our teenagers and children. The homework overload, the Race to Nowhere, has to stop. Beyond Measure can help.
1. I have 400 pages of research demonstrating that more homework has not be proven to contribute to student achievement --or love of learning. There is very clearly a law of diminishing returns (in excess of 15 hours per week on the high school level is counter-productive) and we are far past that point in many of our schools.
2. That schools are not preparing our students adequately for real life in the 21st century is a given, but more homework is NOT the answer. Take a look at the assignments. They can easily be completed in class if they are worth doing at all. Our students should NOT be memorizing lists of facts that they can easily retrieve from their smart phones in a minute or less. They should be developing skills. That can be achieved through rigorous relevant projects, not rote facts. The school I served as Founding Chief Academic Officer had a diminished homework load and our students were accepted at CalTech, Yale, Cornell, Pomona, Columbia, etc. They published in peer-reviewed journals, won prestigious awards, etc. Oh, and no AP/IB/Cambridge curriculum either.
3. With fewer classes and a looser schedule, the workload in college is far less than that of high school. The statistics are very clear about how little time students spend on work in college. They have enormous amounts of free time there. High school has become a kind of hell for many students and there is no reason for it. The research is clear that high schools should be operating on a schedule of 4 classes a day for 90 minutes each NOT 8 periods of 45 minutes each. The block schedule reduces stress on students (and teachers) and permits more time for collaboration.
With Abeles's tools in parents' and educators' toolboxes, we can provide a more healthy environment for our teenagers and children. The homework overload, the Race to Nowhere, has to stop. Beyond Measure can help.
March 27, 2016
"Beyond Measure" was inspiring, but I was disappointed that even with the suggested overhaul to our education system, the author still seemed to buy into the idea that the one true purpose of an education is to get a respectable job for one of our corporate overlords. At one point she kind of lightly tiptoes around the idea that not everyone needs to go to college, but this was far overshadowed by quotes from CEOs throwing around buzzwords like "innovation" and "creativity" that really just mean, "I want you to innovate a creative way to maximize profits while paying the employees as little as possible." I get the impression that Abeles wants us to do all the things in her book merely so our children can grow up to be healthier and more effective cogs.
Not to mention that Abeles failed to mention homeschooling even once. No, homeschooling isn't right for everyone, but it's certainly a valid alternative that addresses all of the issues the book brings up. And homeschoolers have been using project-based education methods for decades. It isn't as if educators haven't been aware of things like inquiry-based science.
After hearing such good reviews, I was disappointed. Abeles doesn't even get outside the box with this book, but merely nudges things a bit closer to the edge. I'm sure it's a fantastic read for someone who has never considered anything different, but for those of us who have lived outside the mainstream for a while now, it's a bit of a let down.
Not to mention that Abeles failed to mention homeschooling even once. No, homeschooling isn't right for everyone, but it's certainly a valid alternative that addresses all of the issues the book brings up. And homeschoolers have been using project-based education methods for decades. It isn't as if educators haven't been aware of things like inquiry-based science.
After hearing such good reviews, I was disappointed. Abeles doesn't even get outside the box with this book, but merely nudges things a bit closer to the edge. I'm sure it's a fantastic read for someone who has never considered anything different, but for those of us who have lived outside the mainstream for a while now, it's a bit of a let down.
November 30, 2015
Like "Parenting Without Borders," I would recommend every parent add this book to their must-have list of resources. In her enlightening documentary "Race to Nowhere" Abeles reveals the frightening state of our education system. In this book (and her recent documentary, which I have yet to see), she shows the progress that's been made to rectify the situation. It's encouraging to know there is so much positive and effective innovation being applied to what will soon be my own son's education.
September 21, 2015
Excellent and thought provoking.
November 3, 2015
I highlighted so many passages that nearly the whole book is highlighted. This is an excellent follow up to "Race To Nowhere." Must read for parents of school aged children.
March 7, 2018
This was an outstanding representation of the failings of the American school systems. Abeles clearly discusses all that needs to be revamped in order for our children to have successful, well-rounded, happy and productive lives with purpose. Even homeschools are not immune because they are still subject to the requirements of the college board tests and all that is involved with those applications. The stress we put our school children through in order to get good grades so they can get a good job is really incredible. And to what end? Are the majority of adults even happy in the jobs they have today? Would they have made a different choice if the school pressure had not been as strong? Abeles offers many plausible suggestions for improvement that can be initiated immediately by parents and student to inspire change. If schools are receptive, these changes can be put into place over the course of a summer break. Homeschool parents would do well to read this book as a check up from the neck up, especially if school practices were part of the reason they broke from the system. I highly recommend this book as a reference to all parents.
August 7, 2021
3-4 Nothing revolutionary here if one has been following the education scene in the 21st Century. The (North) American system is broken, students, teachers, parents, and employers are frustrated, other countries and charter schools have better systems--ergo something needs to change. In a COVID-19 setting with remote learning, we have seen stress heightened and cracks in the system highlighted; however, how to bring about change continues to be the challenge. Inquiry based learning continues to hold promise. In the end, though, what students will need to learn and be able to do to best prepare them for life post 2021 will continue to be debated.
The book does flow well and is easy to read. I have not watched the films which prompted the book and apparently contain the same information.
The book does flow well and is easy to read. I have not watched the films which prompted the book and apparently contain the same information.
May 23, 2018
As someone that's read a lot of parenting books I'd say this is a good one for discussion and pondering. This topic really varies depending on what stage of life your child/parenting is in too so as with many parenting books you use it to prompt you to revisit your own priorities & values. Several things I wrote down to remember. Several things I just disagree or annoyed me but perhaps because they really hit the nail on the head. The chapters on testing are huge for any parent frustrated by the quantity of standardized testing happening in our schools.
February 6, 2022
This book totally matches my own experience with the US education system. I'm glad to see somebody explicitly making the case about it. But, although I already agreed with the book's thesis, something in the writing left it surprisingly uncompelling—the scattershot anecdotes, the quantity of research results, the overly prescriptive advice don't quite come together. As much as I like what the book is saying, it's hard to imagine it convincing anybody who isn't already thinking along the same lines and, for those of us who are, it doesn't help much in convincing others.
February 10, 2018
As a parent of a high school student, I appreciated solutions to growing problems in our schools. I also was hopeful as I have witnessed small, large, and some steady changes in our school system. The book’s premise for changes/solutions are partially a prerequisite to raise wholehearted, resilient children. A solid read worth the time to empower parents, teachers, and communities.
July 31, 2017
A focused look at the various factors plaguing the education system today. I appreciated how much research was included in the analysis. Most useful were the suggestions and real examples presented from bold community members across the US.
May 20, 2019
Such an informative read. I want to reread it this summer because it was really life-changing... made me think about the education system and our societal values differently. I was so inspired by it that I wrote my own Op-Ed on the "rat race".
June 26, 2024
Honestly I checked out good book by accident. I meant to check out a different one by the same title. But this was good. It highlights ways the educational rat race fails students and offers solutions for change.
May 7, 2017
Very important!
December 5, 2017
This was a clear-sighted, well researched and passionate call for a change in our education system. I don't feel like it broke new ground, but I do feel that it argued the point thoroughly and well.
My only critique would be that it emphasized the efforts of parents and administrators over the efforts of teachers, and in doing that, I felt that it overlooked the incredible amount of time, energy and new training it takes for teachers to be successful in implementing the kind of education that Abeles advocates.
Not to say that this shouldn't be done, but an avenue that is never discussed is the way that teachers are taught themselves, and how the teacher education system could be changed to better prepare teachers to implement this kind of programming.
My only critique would be that it emphasized the efforts of parents and administrators over the efforts of teachers, and in doing that, I felt that it overlooked the incredible amount of time, energy and new training it takes for teachers to be successful in implementing the kind of education that Abeles advocates.
Not to say that this shouldn't be done, but an avenue that is never discussed is the way that teachers are taught themselves, and how the teacher education system could be changed to better prepare teachers to implement this kind of programming.
April 6, 2019
Informative and provocative book about the current education system in the US.
July 7, 2019
Some good points but one demensional.
October 12, 2016
Important insights into our educational paradigm, with examples of different and more effective options that beat the mind-numbing "race to nowhere."
March 11, 2017
100% agree. But, when are schools (the system) going to catch on????? I found myself nodding throughout the book, yet frustration set in & I quickly finished. Policy makers need to listen to teachers.
January 27, 2016
THIS book was a real page turner! I highlighted pages, then turned down the corners of pages I would have loved to quote, sentences that had real depth of meaning to me. Darn, I was turning down so many pages, I had to stop. Ms. Abeles puts the educational system and definition of educational success into marvelous perspective. Among the things I appreciated: "Policy makers made matters even worse when they attached powerful consequences to standardized test scores---teachers' job evaluations, schools' funding, high school diplomas, college admissions......thereby plunging the entire American education system into a stultifying culture of fear". Although those standardized test have a caveat that they SHOULD NOT be used in this way, tell that to our local teachers that have been "let go" because their class did not make higher scores than the previous year. She takes a look at homework, asking what we are accomplishing with homework. She asks what we define as "success" for our children...Is it a score on a test, is it a frenzied busy day where a homework assignment takes the place of family time/dinner time? Is it over-scheduling our children into after school activities, sports, etc. until they are so tired, depressed, they are miserable if not depressed? I appreciate that she deals with the loss of the love of learning. This is something that I have noted for years..The magic of discovery, the insights, the joy in learning, turns into dread of school. Instead of producing critical analytical thinkers, we harvest a crop of test takers and memorizers. I love the term EdJOYcation in her book. It's not that we lower our standards for excellence. Far from it. It's that we take another look at what we want for our children and the world. To quote : The moral is not that we should spare our children from the least discomfort or displeasure--that's unrealistic and unhelpful. It's that we must provide them with the environment, in school and at home, that will teach them to find satisfaction in their everyday lives. " and " The focus is too often on what your child does, instead of on who she is...Success ought to be raising a healthy wholehearted child who cares for herself and others, appreciates everyday joys, and believes in her own ability to handle life's ups and downs ".. Ms. Abeles presents very practical steps that we can take...maybe MUST take..to have well educated children and adults, that we NOT have so many running madly in the RACE TO NOWHERE .
I won this book from Goodreads and highly recommend it to educators, parents, and anyone concerned about the direction our "educational" system has taken. Addendum: After listening to harried overachieving teens who state " I am so tired. My body hurts" I'd like to recommend this book to teenagers caught in the web of constant athletic and academic competition... if only for validation of their feelings.
I won this book from Goodreads and highly recommend it to educators, parents, and anyone concerned about the direction our "educational" system has taken. Addendum: After listening to harried overachieving teens who state " I am so tired. My body hurts" I'd like to recommend this book to teenagers caught in the web of constant athletic and academic competition... if only for validation of their feelings.
December 21, 2015
In Beyond measure, Vicki Ables hits the nail right on the head. Our children are being overtested and overscheduled in our schools. Even kindergartners are now expected to read and do math at an ever-increasing pace and their "scores' are used to impact teacher evaluations. Creativity and spontaneity and engaging students in a multitude of methods is declining. Given the pressures of today's world and the fears we parents have for our children it is understandable that we have only begun to question this direction but Ms Abeles, clearly and concisely, raises the bar for all of us. As she states, we must protect our students from this phenomenon and stop the testing madness and the increased focus on doing whatever it takes for our children to get into college even if it is to their detriment. As a parent of a middle school child I feel its effects in her and her classmates and schools.
One significant criticism I have of this book it is that it is really about the middle and upper class school experience and should clearly say so. Ms Abeles conflates race and class and does not discuss how overtesting impacts students of color differently in poor, urban neighborhoods. Public school systems in communities of color have been degraded by lack of money and further debased by the takeover of public schools by no-excuses charter schools who cream the best students (or lose the hard-to-teach kids through "counseling" them out) and have nowhere the numbers of students with special needs and English Language Learners. When public school children are then tested they do not score as well (more complicated needs), their teachers are evaluated and punished and then the school loses money. It is a vicious cycle that I wish Ms Abeles had at least explored.
Nevertheless, this is an eye-opening book and a warning to us as we continue to understand the impact of testing and the piling on more and more extracurricular activities in order, we hope, to ensure our children's future. Thank you to Vickie Abeles for her penetrating look at our schools.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for allowing me to review this book for an honest opinion.
One significant criticism I have of this book it is that it is really about the middle and upper class school experience and should clearly say so. Ms Abeles conflates race and class and does not discuss how overtesting impacts students of color differently in poor, urban neighborhoods. Public school systems in communities of color have been degraded by lack of money and further debased by the takeover of public schools by no-excuses charter schools who cream the best students (or lose the hard-to-teach kids through "counseling" them out) and have nowhere the numbers of students with special needs and English Language Learners. When public school children are then tested they do not score as well (more complicated needs), their teachers are evaluated and punished and then the school loses money. It is a vicious cycle that I wish Ms Abeles had at least explored.
Nevertheless, this is an eye-opening book and a warning to us as we continue to understand the impact of testing and the piling on more and more extracurricular activities in order, we hope, to ensure our children's future. Thank you to Vickie Abeles for her penetrating look at our schools.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for allowing me to review this book for an honest opinion.
December 9, 2016
As a school reformer for 30 years, I consider Beyond Measure a "must read" anyone interested in transforming education to meet the needs of students and our future society.
In her compelling book, Abeles bravely calls out the parents, students, school leaders, university admissions officers, and field of others who, intentionally or unintentionally, have gotten caught up in a Race to Nowhere (film by Abeles, 2010) -- a race for students to earn top grades, ace standardized tests, and get admitted to selective universities, all at the risk of denying youth their childhood (i.e., playing, laughing, building lasting friendships, spending time with family, pursuing interests and passions), health (i.e., lack of sleep, exercise, and healthy meals), and even lives (i.e., debilitating disease, suicide). Her well-researched book makes us question why and how we have allowed "education" to replace real learning, test scores and grades to define one's worth, and admission to selective university to become the only postsecondary option worth pursuing.
In addition to reiterating the wake-up call reverberating through her 2010 film, Beyond Measure takes us to some of the more forward-thinking schools across the country -- schools that are challenging and trusting students with real projects that benefits the real world; schools that are blending academic disciplines as they naturally blend in the workplace; schools that expect students to develop and demonstrate their mastery of 21st Century skills as true qualifiers for future success; and schools that have complete confidence that powerful learning will result in high tests scores, even if that is not the goal. The schools she highlights offer a vision for the future and a glimmer of hope that we can move beyond the outdated education system that maintains the status quo and produces young people who can follow instructions and jump through hoops, but too often lack the creative and critical thinking, emotional intelligence, initiative, resourcefulness, and motivation to advance us toward a sustainable future.
In her compelling book, Abeles bravely calls out the parents, students, school leaders, university admissions officers, and field of others who, intentionally or unintentionally, have gotten caught up in a Race to Nowhere (film by Abeles, 2010) -- a race for students to earn top grades, ace standardized tests, and get admitted to selective universities, all at the risk of denying youth their childhood (i.e., playing, laughing, building lasting friendships, spending time with family, pursuing interests and passions), health (i.e., lack of sleep, exercise, and healthy meals), and even lives (i.e., debilitating disease, suicide). Her well-researched book makes us question why and how we have allowed "education" to replace real learning, test scores and grades to define one's worth, and admission to selective university to become the only postsecondary option worth pursuing.
In addition to reiterating the wake-up call reverberating through her 2010 film, Beyond Measure takes us to some of the more forward-thinking schools across the country -- schools that are challenging and trusting students with real projects that benefits the real world; schools that are blending academic disciplines as they naturally blend in the workplace; schools that expect students to develop and demonstrate their mastery of 21st Century skills as true qualifiers for future success; and schools that have complete confidence that powerful learning will result in high tests scores, even if that is not the goal. The schools she highlights offer a vision for the future and a glimmer of hope that we can move beyond the outdated education system that maintains the status quo and produces young people who can follow instructions and jump through hoops, but too often lack the creative and critical thinking, emotional intelligence, initiative, resourcefulness, and motivation to advance us toward a sustainable future.
June 19, 2016
thorough takedown of the culture of frantic overscheduling of kids as they race to get thru towering stacks of routine homework sheets after a long day of test-prep-focused passive receipt of educational product followed by hyped-up travel soccer practice, all with an eye on saving the school/principal/teachers by acing a standardized test and ultimately the grand prize of admission to a name-brand college.
Describes some school districts, individual schools, and even individual teachers who have rebelled by cutting back on or eliminating homework, using project-based learning, etc.
Would like to see an extended debate between her and Jay Mathews [Wx Post education writer] on these issues. He's written in relation to author's documentary "Race to Nowhere" that she is very accurate on the insanity afflicting elite schools and communities but that in many/most of the country's public schools the picture is quite different, with bored unchallenged kids not doing much of anything in terms of school work.
The standardized test stuff is everywhere of course, but I do wonder if her anecdotes about sane families [incl. her own] reclaiming their lives by.....
--deciding that only taking 1 or 2 AP courses at a time
--and one extracurricular activity at a time, and
--Denver U [where one of her kids enrolled] is fine and you don't have to go to Yale to have a good life etc.
.......are more an issue for those in communities with lots of 1%ers.
Regardless of exact prevalence, she has her finger on the pulse of something that has gone way overboard, at cost of kids' getting enough sleep, exercise, and hanging out together [other than on screen], so I hope the book and documentary have some impact.
Describes some school districts, individual schools, and even individual teachers who have rebelled by cutting back on or eliminating homework, using project-based learning, etc.
Would like to see an extended debate between her and Jay Mathews [Wx Post education writer] on these issues. He's written in relation to author's documentary "Race to Nowhere" that she is very accurate on the insanity afflicting elite schools and communities but that in many/most of the country's public schools the picture is quite different, with bored unchallenged kids not doing much of anything in terms of school work.
The standardized test stuff is everywhere of course, but I do wonder if her anecdotes about sane families [incl. her own] reclaiming their lives by.....
--deciding that only taking 1 or 2 AP courses at a time
--and one extracurricular activity at a time, and
--Denver U [where one of her kids enrolled] is fine and you don't have to go to Yale to have a good life etc.
.......are more an issue for those in communities with lots of 1%ers.
Regardless of exact prevalence, she has her finger on the pulse of something that has gone way overboard, at cost of kids' getting enough sleep, exercise, and hanging out together [other than on screen], so I hope the book and documentary have some impact.
March 21, 2016
Being in the unique position of being a teacher at a high pressure prep school and a parent of four unique little personalities, I feel pushed, inspired, and determined to enact change after reading this book. How to make education meaningful is not only an important idea; it is my job. Echoes reverberated in my brain with every chapter. Overworked kids - yes. My own kids and my students. Too much pressure - yes. Mine, theirs, just yes. A sense of purposelessness - yes, but isn't this something we can fix? Beginning by throwing out my fourth quarter lesson plans and signing up for professional education opportunities designed to compliment the issues struck in Beyond Measure has reintroduced inspiration to both my personal and professional life. This is an important, vital text for anyone who wonders what their purpose is and how we can all do a better job of finding it, for ourselves and the ones we love.
December 9, 2016
This is a great book. It is a good summary of current evidence and contains a well laid out argument for why we should pursue change in our schools and communities to save a generation of kids who might be destined for unhealthy and unhappy futures because of the current structure of school and student life. It had some areas of crossover between chapters that I thought could have been less clunky in terms of writing style, but it is a complicated spiderweb of a topic and I also understand the writing style aim for including a wide audience. There is a section at the end that is a summary of action steps which I thought was really nice but might be slightly simplistic. I think she was trying to be encouraging but I also felt like it is a bitter pill to swallow to suggest that even though our kids are suffering we, as parents, will have to fight a slow uphill battle for societal change that might never happen. But maybe that is what we need to hear.
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