This homework issue is peculiar in New York City. One issue is that parents do so much prepping to get into the elite gifted and talented programs, that kids a

This homework issue is peculiar in New York City. One issue is that parents do so much prepping to get into the elite gifted and talented programs, that kids are there who don't belong. What is challenging to a gifted kid (the programs are competitive) is overwhelming to someone not quite as advanced. Many private schools face the same issues. Riverdale is one of the few elite uber-expensive schools that is bucking the trend on overwork. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/what-if-the-secret-to-success-is-failure.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/what-if-the-secre... It's worth noting that the author of the original article is an acclaimed multicultural writer, and not just a US-centric hack. Of course if he wants to keep his daughter off of pot she's in middle school, he probably shouldn't have outed himself.