I recently wrote about the resolution against high stakes testing (http://ecosalon.com/plotting-the-timely-death-of-standardized-testing-in-our-public-schools/) and believe the opt out choice is the most radical way to get attention and to promote change. It is akin to the hunger strikes or back of bus protests of the civil rights era. It can't hurt us if it makes us stronger.

I haven't seen the film yet, because I don't have $395 to spend on the kit, and most of the screenings in my area are "private". The tagline "the dark side of America's achievement culture" more than hints that I would be paying $395 to learn what I already know--all that's wrong with American education. How about a film showing what's right? Where is the film about successful school programs where deep learning and critical thinking with relevance to students' lives are being implemented? That is something I would pay good money for.

Why are politicians setting the standards in our school system? They do not have degrees in education or know what is best for our children. Our teachers need to have the freedom to take control of their classrooms so they can teach the important concepts like how to think critically, problem solve and instil a love of learning. How can we get our voices heard and start change? How can we change our culture?

Athletic expectations of time-commitment have gotten just as out-of-hand as academics, if not more so.

Why not let high school students opt for taking classes that match their interests? Instead we make them take boring and useless classes like chem, calculus and ancient literature so they can "get into college" but they will never use the information again. If a kid wants to be a web designer or sports announcer why force them to take classes that have no use whatsoever for their future?

You would think long term assignments, such as science fair, would be great for learning how to budget time, design a presentation board, etc, until you realize that it's the parents doing most of the work. How can kids compete with that!

The Common App has made it easier for students to apply to multiple colleges at one time and therefore overloading admissions departments with record numbers of applicants. This causes fewer acceptances and spirals into more competition between students and colleges. The Common App has contributed to the competition spiral. It would help if many universities go off the Common App as this would reduce the number of applicants great, helping to ease the college entrance nightmare.

Teachers need to pass the qualification test for teaching every year and they need to learn how to develop students need.

This year our nonprofit organization, Education Perspectives for the Central Valley, Inc. in Fresno, CA. launched a new, online education magazine, "Encompass: Insightful discourse on K-12 education issues for parents and advocates...in the hope of reaching a wider education community with research and information that matters most. Please see our "Measuring Success" feature and weigh in with your comments! http://www.eduperspectivescv.org/

Schools may be more likely to make changes if they find strong evidence of high levels of stress, high rates of symptoms of depression and / or anxiety, low amounts of sleep, and loss of joy of learning. Surveys can be anonymous and can be inexpensive and easy to produce.

Have 1 week break after 45 days of instruction. This provides kids with more opportunities to recharge, less brain drain & less time spent reviewing material.