The Pressure in Today's High Schools

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“Education is not the filling of a vessel, but the kindling of a flame.” –Socrates (Secret). Unfortunately, many school systems, today, are not following Socrates’ advice. Many teachers have forgotten what learning is all about, and as students mindlessly memorize facts and figures, the only flame being kindled is their burning hatred towards school. Students stress about grades and believe that their self-worth is defined by their GPA. As they struggle under never-ending piles of homework and standardized tests, there is little time for students to worry about sports, family, health, rest, or even learning. The unnecessary pressure that today’s high school students suffer from has a huge effect on social lives, mental stability, and physical well-being. The stress is unhealthy and unnecessary and it comes from things like homework or standardized tests. These problems can be easily solved with small changes in the education system. The stress caused by school has many unhealthy and dangerous side effects. According to Denise Pope, a professor from Stanford University, high amounts of homework can lead to mental and physical health problems in students (Binns). C.M. Rubin has also said that stress, anxiety, and depression levels have been increasing in adolescents recently. In a Challenge Success Survey, 67 percent of high school students said that they were often or always stressed about school. This stress has horrible side effects, such as depression and suicide (Rubin). In some extreme cases, it can even lead to bomb threats, as in the case of Eldo Kim (Lavoie). An article by Denise Lavoie, describes how the Harvard student was so stressed about his schoolwork that he used a bomb threat to avoid a final exam. Although event... ... middle of paper ... ...3 Feb. 2014. Moon, T. R., Brighton, C. M., Jarvis, J. M., & Hall, C. J. (2007). State standardized testing programs: Their effects on teachers and students (RM07228). Storrs, CT: The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented, University of Connecticut. Rubin, C.M. “The Global Search For Education: On Success.” Education News. 15 Nov. 2011. Web. 9 Feb. 2014. The Secret Teacher. “We’re all under pressure but don’t take it out on the pupils.” Teacher Network. The Guardian. 27 Oct. 2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. “Student-Achievement Testing.” Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts on File Services, 13 Oct. 2000. Web. 4 Feb. 2014. Wilde, Marian. “Do our kids have too much homework?” Homework Help. Great Schools. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. Wolchover, Natalie. “Too Much Homework Is Bad for Kids.” Live Science 30 Mar. 2013. Web. 9 Feb. 2014.

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