Follow AAE on:
Subscribe to RSS Feed:
| Secretary Duncan Advocates for Later Start Times |
| posted by: Ruthie | August 26, 2013, 05:44 PM |
|
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is making headlines this week for taking to Twitter to advocate for later school start times. According to recent studies, children, and especially teenagers, require more sleep than adults in order to properly grow and function socially, academically, and emotionally. While less time in class may seem contrary to improving student achievement, according to a tweet from Secretary Duncan later start times are “common sense to improve student achievement that too few have implemented: let teens sleep more, start school later http://wapo.st/14WCs4R.” Secretary Duncan’s tweet referenced a recent Washington Post article discussing the detriment of sleep deprivation to students’ learning and overall well-being. As a result of conclusive data that teenagers need adequate rest time for optimal functioning, the Fairfax County Virginia School Board is considering pushing back start times. With school possibly being postponed until 8:00 am or even later, the change could cause extra financial burdens on districts’ logistical staff, like bus drivers. While the change could force logistical changes, some asserts that the money saved in catching up absent students could make up for added costs in the long run. "We'll be saving money on remediation, we won't have as many students dropping out of school," said Phyllis Payne, a representative from SLEEP- in Fairfax, a later start time advocacy group. The buzz in the Washington, D.C. area could spark a nationwide debate about later start times across the country. Do you think schools should start later? How would this affect teachers? Comment below.
email to friend
Print
comment
Permalink
Comments (4)
Student teacher
written by Jennifer Wortman, Oklahoma , September 12, 2013
When I was in high school, before the era of electronic gadgets, I had to set my own bed time. I had one sport that I did after school. When I got home I had to eat my dinner and do my homework at the same time, but I would not do homework past 11:00 at night. I figured an unfinished in one class was better than falling asleep in all my classes. A lot o classmates would drag through the day, barely looking alive because they were up late to get homework done.
Not the Real World
written by Mike, Wisconsin, September 04, 2013
We already give ribbons and trophies for "participating" (read:losing). Now people are calling for later starts because Johnny and Susie are up too late texting, facebooking, gaming, and watching late night TV. If schools are really about training the students to be valuable members of society (employable), shouldn't we be demanding more responsibility in terms of the real world? Many jobs begin sometime between 5AM and 8AM., both in the private and public sector. I am all for reform and using data to drive decisions, but I am also for teaching what is real vs. what might be ideal.
Great Idea!
written by Mitzi, West Monroe, LA, August 26, 2013
I've been promoting this for years. The research is everywhere that teens need more sleep, yet it's hard for many of them to go to sleep early. Their biological clocks are set to stay up late and sleep late. Why not take advantage of that? Start later and stay later. Not necessarily lose time. Scores would definitely improve, I believe.
... written by Jill, Alexandria, VA, August 26, 2013
We started at 9am and not only the middle schools students liked it, but I loved it! It's definitely worth piloting.
I also think that you should look at the age level. Later school may not be the answer for the young ones, but it's definitely something to consider for the older. (PS: I loved being able to get to the gym before work and still arrive with ample time to put together last minutes things for the day).
|
Sign up for AAE Emails
Blogroll
- American Board (ABCTE)
- Edspresso (CER)
- Eduwonk
- Flypaper (Fordham)
- Intercepts (Mike Antonucci)
- Jay Greene
- Joanne Jacobs
- Joe Williams (Democrats for Education Reform)
- National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
- Politics K-12 (EdWeek)
- Road to Teaching
- Teacher Beat (EdWeek)
- InformED (AIR)
- This Week in Education
