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

by David L. Gleason PSY D

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: Education

192 pages, Paperback

Published January 20, 2017

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book for people who deal with adolescents, especially in high-pressure, high-achievement schools, and there is significant food for thought here. I wish that Gleason had provided more anecdotes about stories that have successfully made changes to their school culture, but perhaps there aren't that many real-life examples out there! Gleason came and spoke to the teachers at the school where I teach, and I was impressed with him in person as well. My school is due to reconsider its daily/weekly schedule in the next year or so, and I'm going to suggest that members of the community all read this book in preparation to consider the schedule we want for our students.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers the general stress placed on students who may feel overwhelmed by excessive stress due to too much homework. The author argues that students struggle with anxiety, depression, and self- harm. The schools are concerned that if they do not demand enough from students that the students won’t excel into high rated colleges. The book is redundant and could have gone more in depth about the pros/cons from students feeling under too much pressure. The author feels that students may be forced to think on an adult level before they are ready. On the other hand schools are responsible for maintaining a high reputation.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I wish there were more about ways to produce solutions in schools, I thought this book pointed out the many ways in which our competitive school culture is toxic to students. We know that much of our schools' cultures are negative, and the author suggests that we have to begin to try to make change given that we know how negative the situation is right now.

[Jo Wrzesinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book that’s certainly not a challenging read. Lots of good content and ideas and I felt like I already knew and that seemed obvious, however, as the book states, the hard part is taking the leap and implementing them at your school. Worth reading.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

No quick fixes in this book, but a reminder to take a careful look at why we do what we do in “fiercely competitive schools.”

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for independent school teachers.

[Wendy Larman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It just didn’t ring that true with me and our school.