Students are now practicing subject verb agreement and reviewing the unit circle with their parents in hopes of impressing their teachers. “If my dad can’t thoroughly explain and analyze the plot of Beloved to an English teacher, she’s never going to write my letter of recommendation,” commented one anxious AP Junior English student. “I’m going to make sure my Dad brings in a kleenex box to math,” another extra credit hungry sophomore added. While some find the trend unnecessary and a little disturbing, everyone seems to be joining in. As one mom who had spent the entire day picking out a matching outfit for parent night noted “I used to laugh at how boring my children’s teachers were. Now I make sure to laugh louder than all the other parents in the room when my children’s teacher makes a joke.”