An up-close look at the education arms race of after-school learning, academic competitions, and the perceived failure of even our best schools to educate children
Whether it's drama lessons, math competitions, or soccer, today's youth are encouraged to compete against one another. There is an education and extracurricular arms race that begins as early as elementary school. Youth are stressed out in the back seats of the car while parents are right there with them, driving them here and there. In Hyper Education, Pawan Dhingra uncovers the intense world of high-achievement education and the after-school learning centers, spelling bees, and math competitions that it has spawned. Across well-to-do neighborhoods in cities and suburbs, parents prepare youth for elite college admissions, while concerned about their emotional well-being. It is a world where many Asian American students are often at the head of the class, putting in hours of study and testing in order to gain a foothold in the supposed meritocracy of American public education. Drawing on in-depth interviews with teachers, children, and parents, Dhingra delves into the origins of this phenomenon and examines how schools, families, and communities play their part. Moving past "Tiger mom" stereotypes, he addresses why Asian American and white families practice what Dhingra calls "hyper education" and whether or not their investment makes sense. He also speaks with teachers, principals, college admissions officers, and private tutors to understand how programs like Kumon and Mathnasium both supplement and undermine public education. He shares what youth enjoy and resent about it. By taking a behind-the-scenes look at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, other national competitions, and learning centers, Dhingra shows why good schools, good grades, and good behavior are seen as not enough for high-achieving students and their parents and why the education arms race will continue to grow.