"Risky Rise of the Good-Grade Pill", the center story of a recent New York Times Sunday edition, should ask all parents of kids of any age, "What am I telling my kids is more important: effort or achievement?"
According to the article, more and more kids are taking or trying to get hold of performance-enhancing drugs like Adderall to help them score better on tests and get better grades. They're hopeful that this will lead them to an Ivy League College, which many students feel their parents expect. "At high schools across the United States, pressure over grades and competition for college admissions are encouraging students to abuse prescription stimulants, according to interviews with students, parents and doctors." (The New York Times: Sunday, June 10, 2012: Risky Rise of the Good-Grade Pill.)
When parents focus on achievement or aptitude—getting the best grades, being the best tennis player, the best lacrosse player, the best writer—we are teaching our kids that what they do is more important than who they are. In the world of effort, each student must learn to struggle with their own best effort. When "who you are" is challenged and supported, then students will do some pretty good things. And achievement will follow, but without the need for stimulants to help make it happen.
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