At What Cost?: Defending Adolescent Development In Fiercely Competitive Schools

by David L. Gleason

Anxiety, depression, and their dangerous manifestations—substance abuse, eating disorders, self-injury and suicide— are increasing student conditions at many competitive high schools. Paradoxically, most of these schools promote themselves as being committed to students’ holistic development in academics, athletics and the arts, and in their personal, social, and emotional growth. So why are so many students struggling? Dr. Gleason has investigated these concerns in competitive high schools throughout the United States and around the world, and has found almost complete unanimity in how educators and parents have responded to his interviews. In sum, these caring and dedicated adults fully admit to overscheduling, overworking and, at times, overwhelming their students and teenaged children. This conflict – adults wanting to educate and parent adolescents in healthy and balanced ways, but simultaneously, overscheduling, overworking and, at times, overwhelming them – is at the heart of this book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Parenting

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2017

Reviews

[Ali M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for a parent book-club at my kid’s school. It was repetitive and in serious need of an editor, but I did glean some useful information. It also spawned some interesting conversations about exactly what it is we are preparing our children for. Tertiary education seemed like the obvious goal, but given the ridiculous cost for not a great education in an environment that seems increasingly anathema to actual learning or exposure to ideas is that even wise? Is it even worth anything in the wake of scandals highlighting that you are not getting an education but instead are buying a credential that gives you access to the upper echelons if you are lucky? We are certainly reconsidering what it means to be “successful” in our house. With only our two oldest in high school and three more behind them, we are yet to see how it will all shake out. We do know that how we navigate the high school years will be much more flexible and with an eye on an array of goals rather than simply the “best college.”

[Ashley Bostrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first heard David Gleason give a keynote speech at an Inclusion Conference I attended in Johannesburg a year and a half ago. He’s an engaging speaker with a lot of data and anecdotes to back up his opinions/findings. When I came across his book in our curriculum coordinator’s office, I wanted to dig deeper into his findings. While the book is filled with good information, Gleason is more captivating as a speaker than as a writer. While this book can be used as a catalyst for having discussions on over-pressuring and over-scheduling students, I’d recommend attending a conference with him instead.

[Patrick Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rare book that's about adolescents who attend independent and international schools.

Like so many studies, this is better at diagnosing problems than proposing solutions. It's also written repetitively and without any great style, factors which combine to make it seem much longer than it is. That said, in several places I found it interesting and challenging, forcing me to reconsider my own ideas and practices about teaching teenagers in a private school setting.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Necessary reading for anyone in a high school, competitive or not. We are exerting a tremendous amount of pressure on young teens and they just do not have the coping mechanisms to deal with what is place before them. The pressure to get into college, to do well, to have every extra curricular they can handle has left a lot of kids feeling anxious and unable to cope. Worth the read.

[Kelly Jahng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thought-provoking and convicting in some ways. I wish it provided a few more concrete solutions. Yes, they are in many ways dependent on the setting, but it would be nice to see an ideal presented, as well. What would a school that is really in tune with kids development while still being academically rigorous look like?

[Julie Darling · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really important book to read as a parent, also if you teach middle or high school aged kids. A bit challenging to get through, it meanders a bit and has more anecdotal examples than strictly necessary for conveying the points.

[Wendy Larman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not that relatable

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So enlightening

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not news, but useful