Why parents are against later school start times?

A recent study out of the University of Michigan finds that 51 percent of parents support later school start times, according to Science Daily. Two factors for parents who opposed the change were transportation and concerns about how after-school activities might be affected.

Why are later school start times bad?

Later start times will likely mean more busses on the road later in the day; this could create more traffic and increase travel delays. Childcare. Some families rely on older students to care for younger siblings after school; this may be more difficult if high schools dismiss later than elementary or middle schools.

How later school start times affect parents?

The researchers concluded that the changed school start times have "a significantly positive downstream effect on secondary school parents' sleep and daytime functioning, with minimal impact reported by parents of elementary school students." The findings were published online recently in the journal Sleep Health.

How does starting school later affect after school activities?

The new schedule means that sports practices and after-school extracurriculars, including dance rehearsals and marching band practice, now have later start and end times. Some students, like Allison, say the later start time limits the variety of extracurriculars they can pursue.

What are the benefits of school starting early?

Support for sleeping in? Half of parents favor later school start times for teens

Is it beneficial to start school later?

Delaying start times

Benefits observed from later high school start times include: Increased attendance rates. Decrease in disciplinary action. Decrease in student-involved car accidents.

Is it better to start school earlier or later?

“[whether this is easier or harder], probably easier for some families, more challenging for others, but we (California's PTA) based our support on what is best for the students and later start times are best for students. Later start fits better with the teen brain development and with teens getting better sleep.”

How does later school times affect health?

Starting school later can provide teenagers a chance to obtain essential sleep, which can contribute to better physical and mental health as well as improvements in attendance, academic performance and graduation rates.

How does school starting later affect students sleep?

Most studies reviewed provide evidence that delaying school start time increases weeknight sleep duration among adolescents, primarily by delaying rise times. Most of the studies saw a significant increase in sleep duration even with relatively small delays in start times of half an hour or so.

How does school starting later affect attendance?

(Reuters Health) - When high schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later, attendance rates and graduation rates improve, according to a new study. The study backs previous research that says additional sleep boosts psychological, behavioral and academic benefits for teens.

How does school starting later benefit parents?

“It [a change to a later school start time] has made for a happier family. The kids are more rested and there is less fighting in the house.” There were other parents who suggested that the changes had little impact. They simply adjusted their schedules to provide ample time for sleep and morning preparation.

What time does a 13 year old go to bed?

6-12 years old: should go to sleep between 7:30 and 8:30 pm. 13-18 years old: should go to sleep around 10:00 pm. Bare in mind that once puberty hits, it will be difficult for teenagers to fall asleep until around 11 pm.

Why is later school start times important?

When schools start later, teens get more and better sleep, and they are happier, healthier and safer. They do better in school and in life.

How does later school start times improve mental health?

Studies show that extra sleep for teenagers actually helps shield them against depression and anxiety. It's true! This study from 2017 showed that teenagers with school starting at 8:30am or later had better mental health than their earlier-starting counterparts.

What time should I wake up if school starts at 8?

If school starts at 8 am, I would think waking up at 6:30 or 6:45 am would be an ideal time. You would be able to wash up, eat breakfast, brush your teeth, and get your clothes together. Before you know it, it's 7:15 to 7:30 in the morning. You would have to consider how far your school is from your house.

Does school cause sleep loss?

The combination of late bedtimes and early school start times results in most adolescents not getting enough sleep. In recent years, evidence has accumulated that later school start times for adolescents result in more students getting enough sleep.

How many hours of sleep do teens need?

How much sleep someone needs depends on their age. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has recommended that children aged 6–12 years should regularly sleep 9–12 hours per 24 hours and teenagers aged 13–18 years should sleep 8–10 hours per 24 hours.

Does school starting later improve grades?

In terms of grades, starting later in the day led to a 12% increase in the value-added number of students making good academic progress and getting better grades.

What are symptoms of lack of sleep?

Feeling fatigued or lethargic throughout the day, yawning frequently. Feeling irritable. Change in mood including feeling depressed, anxious, stressed, paranoid or experiencing suicidal thoughts. Low motivation.

How does school negatively affect mental health?

School Stressors:

Stressors, such as exams, homework overload, and the competitive nature of educational systems, can also impact students' mental health. The pressure to perform well in exams, cope with heavy workloads, and juggle multiple commitments can lead to increased stress and anxiety levels.

Why schools should start at 8 30 or later?

Improved Academic Outcomes

For instance, one study by the National Sleep Foundation found that both attendance and graduation rates "significantly improved" in schools that delayed their start times to 8:30 a.m. or later.

Why is school at 8am?

In 2019, California legislators passed a first-of-its-kind law requiring that public high schools begin classes no earlier than 8:30 a.m., and that middle schools start no earlier than 8 a.m. The law officially went into effect on July 1.

What is the best age to start school?

Each child is different and mature at a different rate. The appropriate age for a child to start school is 4, 5 or 6. Five years is the majority age. If a child needs to wait until 6, that is ok too.

Why do teens need more sleep?

Additional sleep supports their developing brain, as well as physical growth spurts. It also helps protect them from serious consequences like depression or drug use (see “The Price of Sleep Deprivation in Teens,” below).

Why should school be 4 days a week?

Proponents of a four-day school week argue that it offers several benefits, including cost savings, improved student attendance and increased teacher morale. By reducing the number of school days, schools can save money on transportation, food and energy costs.