π There is a nationwide movement to delay school start times to no earlier than 8:30 in the morning due to the dangers for teens attending school early.
π° Changing a school start time can be costly, but supporters argue that the cost is worth it.
π Most American middle and high schools currently start before 8:30 am, with some starting as early as 5:00 am for school bus pickups.
π In the late 19th century, school days started later in the morning and had a long lunch break, allowing students to help their families before school.
π School start times began to change in the 1970s due to budget cuts, with high schools and middle schools starting earlier to accommodate bus schedules.
π€ Research suggests that early school start times have negative impacts on health and safety, leading to the recommendation for later start times by the CDC.
β° Teenagers need at least 8.5 hours of sleep per night, but most aren't getting enough.
π Circadian rhythms change during adolescence, causing teenagers to release melatonin later and feel sleepy later.
π« Moving school start times later can lead to more alert students and fewer instances of students sleeping in class.
β° Teens who are sleep-deprived may engage in riskier behaviors, such as drunk driving and aggression.
π Sleep deprivation is linked to poor academic performance in students.
π« Efforts are being made by organizations to advocate for later school start times.
π American high schools started before the recommended time
β° Seattle moved their high school start times almost an hour later resulting in improved grades and attendance
π« Concerns about the impact on working parents, logistics for families, and cost of implementing later start times
π Changing school start times can have significant financial implications for school districts.
π Calculating bus routes involves considering various factors, such as bus ride duration and pickup/dropoff times.
π Finding the optimal solution depends on the specific needs and constraints of each school district.
π Moving middle and high school start times later is healthier and safer for schools.
π° The decision to move school start times depends on political will and logistical and financial support.
β The question is whether the benefits of changing start times outweigh the effort and resources required.