Why starting school later is 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.

Why is it bad to start school later?

A late start time will disrupt parents' schedules. In households where adults work traditional hours, adjusting the first bell schedule to the recommended 10 a.m. start time will disrupt the household's schedule. Students who have no bus service may have problems getting to and from school.

Why do parents not want school to start later?

The study also found that opposition to later school start times among parents was partially attributable to a misunderstanding about the amount of sleep students need. While many parents said that their students could function well with seven or less hours of sleep, scientific research contradicts such assertions.

Why is it good for schools to start early?

Early education can help children develop essential skills, such as problem-solving and critical thinking. Early education can help children develop a number of essential skills. One of the most important skills children can learn is solving problems.

What do we really think of later school start times?

38.2% of surveyed U.S. adults believe school start times in their area should be later, compared to 36.6% wanting earlier starts and 25.2% wanting no change.

The Debate Over School Start Times

Do students get more sleep if school starts later?

A 2018 study that looked at two public schools in Seattle found that students' sleep increased an average of 34 minutes each night after start times were moved nearly an hour later.

How would school starting later affect parents?

"So, if students have to wake up early, parents have to wake up early. By adjusting the school start times that then impacts when parents have to wake up in order to help their students get up and ready for school in the morning," Meltzer said.

Should school start later and why?

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.

Does starting school later improve grades?

When school starts later, "mood, academics, attendance and graduation rates all improve,” says Harris. 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.

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.”

What is the best time to start school?

Her team of researchers analyzed data from 28 studies and nearly two million study participants—mostly middle and high school students, with some elementary school children. They found that data showed that delaying school start times to between 8:30 and 9 a.m. has better developmental outcomes for young students.

Why do kids not want to go to school anymore?

Some children have severe separation anxiety and can't tolerate being apart from their parents. Other anxiety-related problems that motivate children and teens to avoid going to school include social anxiety, phobias (such as of illness or germs) and obsessive-compulsive disorder, along with depression.

What age do kids stop going to school?

In California children between six and eighteen years of age are subject to compulsory full-time education (Education Code [EC] Section 48200).

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.

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 does school exist?

Rather than every family being individually responsible for education, people soon figured out that it would be easier and more efficient to have a small group of adults teach a larger group of children. In this way, the concept of the school was born.

Does starting school later improve mental health?

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. You might think it's because they're getting more sleep, but that's not necessarily true.

Should I go back to school at 40?

7 Great Reasons To Go Back to School At 40

Increasing job security and improving upward mobility. Learning new technologies and tools to help future-proof your skill set. Advancing to management or leadership roles that require a degree. Qualifying for a salary increase and improving long-term earnings potential.

What years do grades matter the most?

Your first year and sophomore year affect your cumulative GPA, which is important to most colleges. However, a solid academic record in your junior year is likely to carry more importance with an admissions committee.

Why does school start so early in America?

Despite sporadic reform efforts on the part of educators, public health officials, legislators, and grassroots groups, however, most American middle and high schools still require students to begin instruction prior to 8:30 a.m. Failure of efforts to delay start times over the years has primarily been due to pushback ...

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.

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 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.

What are the negative effects of children changing schools?

Research shows a connection between moving and depression in children, especially when the move involves changing schools. 1 A move doesn't affect every child this way, but the association between depression and this life-changing event warrants awareness and a plan to ensure a smooth transition.

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.