School Start Times

Improved Essays
Show More
In the paper "Early to rise? The effect of daily start times on academic performance", Finely Edwards argues that evidence supports increased sleep as a mechanism through which start times can affect test scores. The introduction begins with Edwards explaining the lack of consensus on what time the school day should begin, both across the nation and individual communities. Districts often stagger the start times of different schools in order to reduce the number of buses used to reduce transportation costs. If early start times have a negative impact on academic performance, Edwards notes, staggering start times may not be justified on a cost-benefit basis. The remainder of the opening paragraph acknowledges the attention that the issue of …show more content…
Edwards then references a school start time dataset from the 2001 Before-and After-School Programs and Activities section of the National Household Education Survey to establish how start times vary across the nation. Nationally, the median start time for middle school students Is 8:00 AM, while the median start time in Wake County is 7:30. Also, Wake County students begin school earlier than over 90% of students nationwide. Next, a study is referenced that found that large schools(>1000) students begin on average 15 minutes earlier than small schools, Also, schools using a tiered busing system tend to start earlier than those that do not. Edwards then summarizes the state of the literature related to how start times affects the academic performance of adolescents, and then argues why his paper complements these existing …show more content…
The first source is administrative data for every student in North Carolina between 1999 and 2006, containing demographic variables as well as end of grade test scores in both reading and math. The second source of data is the start time for each school in the Wake County County Public School System(WCPSS) by year. Since 1995, WCPSS has operated under a three-tiered busing system, with some variation in exact start times. Most Tier I schools begin at 7:30, Tier II at 8:15 and Tier III at 9:15, with most Tiers I and II composed primarily of middle and high schools. Edwards then details his findings form the dataset. A table providing summary statistics detailing academic achievements for students in schools which change start times is highlighted. Students in schools changing to an earlier start time saw both their reading and math test scores decrease by about one point on average, while students

Related Documents

  • Decent Essays

    Analysis Of High School Starting Later To Help Sleepy Teens
    • 394 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Analysis Of High School Starting Later To Help Sleepy Teens

    A common argument against a later start time is bus tiers. The Morning Edition, an American radio news program, did a segment with a woman named Michelle Trudeau titled “High School Starting Later to Help Sleepy Teens.” She speaks on the effect of school start time and discusses how one of the key roadblocks to changing school start times is the bus tier and extensive transportation scheduling (“High School Starting Later to Help Sleepy Teens”). It is important to recognises this as something people try to use against a later start time, because it is a fair and valid point, but also one that can be overcome. It is a roadblock for a later start time simply because of how intricate and fine tuned a bus schedule is.…

    • 394 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Analysis Of The Overachiever: A Story Of Success By Alexandra Robbins
    • 1138 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Analysis Of The Overachiever: A Story Of Success By Alexandra Robbins

    According to a policy statement on the effects of early school start times made by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2014, many recent studies have shown that a delaying start times result in a boost in teenagers’ grades and standardized test scores (American Academy of Pediatrics). One study done on Chicago public high school students found that student grades and test scores were considerably lower in first-period classes when compared to afternoon classes. Further, the study found a correlation between student performance on end-of-year standardized tests and the time in which the students were scheduled to take them (Cortez). Another study done on freshmen Air Force Academy students found that the students who started classes after 8:00am performed better across all of their courses compared to those who started before 8:00am (Carrell et al). A study done on middle schoolers found that moving back the start time by one hour could improve the average student’s math and reading by three percent (Edwards).…

    • 1138 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Later School Should Be Later
    • 532 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Later School Should Be Later

    Later school start times have students that have better grades than other schools that start later. Schools have overall improved academic performance by starting later and having well rested students. They work better because being well rested can make students more aware and have more energy. Also sleep deprived students make more errors in school work than well rested people.…

    • 532 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Summary: High School Should Start Later
    • 1354 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Summary: High School Should Start Later

    In the article “High School Starting Time,” Jeff Varley discusses the importance of properly established starting times for high schools and lists the benefits that school districts may receive after changing…

    • 1354 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Decent Essays

    Why School Should Start Later
    • 249 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Why School Should Start Later

    Kids in middle school and in high school think that they are exhausted because they wake up to go to school, but the one reason why they are exhausted in the mornings is because they don't get enough sleep. In the passage "Keep Start Times as They Are," by unknown author, I agree that the times should stay the same because if the times change then the kids will go to sleep later because school will start later. First of all, kids who go to sleep a liitle late will be tired in the morning because they have to go to school. The unknown author states,"They will have to go to sleep earlier if they are forced to wake up earlier," (1).…

    • 249 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Why Schools Should Start Later Research Paper
    • 448 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Why Schools Should Start Later Research Paper

    According to the article, “a later start also interferes with some teens part time jobs and disrupts afterschool sports and clubs(should schools start later)”. However, during the school year, a student's focus should be on academic performance. The “should schools start later article” states that “well rested student get better grades”. Studies show that it is more beneficial for students to have extra hours of sleep in order to be at the best of their ability. Therefore, while the opposing side may be concerned about after school activities the main concern should be on…

    • 448 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    American Academy Should Start Later Essay
    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages

    American Academy Should Start Later Essay

    “educationnext.org” States that students that started school an hour later scored two percentile points better on a standardized test than the students that started an hour earlier. Also, more than a quarter of teens reported that they fall asleep during school. If students who started school later’s percentile increased by at least two percent than, American Academy students could also improve their test scores just by starting school a little bit later. If American Academy starts later, their students may see growth in academic…

    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Later Start Time In School
    • 802 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Later Start Time In School

    The average start time for schools across the nation is 8:00. In many of the studies referenced there is a common theme that school starts too early which has a negative effect of the students health and their ability to learn in school. Consequently, a later start time in school, especially high schools, would be extremely beneficial to not only the students but schools as well.…

    • 802 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Should School Start Later?
    • 1164 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Should School Start Later?

    Fischetti writes, “A study released in February that tracked 9,000 high school students in three states show that grades in science, math, English, and social studies all rose when school began at 8:35 or later,” (Fischetti). Students all over America could be doing better in school if we only just let them get the amount of sleep that they need. In conclusion, the reader can see that there is factual proof that a later school start times helps academically, and also…

    • 1164 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Start Time In High School Essay
    • 1825 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Start Time In High School Essay

    Teens getting less than eight hours of sleep reported significantly higher depression symptoms, greater use of caffeine, and are at greater risk for making poor choices for substance use. Academic performance outcomes, including grades earned in core subject areas of math, English, science and social studies, plus performance on state and national achievement tests, attendance rates and reduced tardiness show significantly positive improvement with the later start times of 8:35 AM or later. Finally, the number of car crashes for teen drivers from 16 to 18 years of age was significantly reduced by 70% when a school shifted start times from 7:35 AM to 8:55 AM.” Wahlstrom, K., Dretzke, B., Gordon, M., Peterson, K., Edwards, K., & Gdula, J. (2014). Examining the Impact of Later School Start Times on the Health and Academic Performance of High School Students: A Multi-Site Study.…

    • 1825 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Should School Start Later
    • 528 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Should School Start Later

    Besides, early start causes stress and shortens the time to get ready. Overall, schools should start later for the sake of greater education, health, and sleep. First of all, late starts improve academic performance. The University of Minnesota found that when schools switch to a later start time, "attendance, standardized test scores and academic performance in math, English, science and social studies improved. " This shows that…

    • 528 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Why Schools Should Start Later Essay
    • 561 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Why Schools Should Start Later Essay

    We have all had one of those days. At 6:30 sharp, your alarm rings incessantly for you to drag yourself out of bed, get your clothes on, and get out bright and early for the bus to go to school. Then, you must find the willpower to stay awake in your morning classes, tests and homework included, until the lunch bell rings. This all happens because of the common school start time of around 7:50, but for some reason many schools, especially middle and high schools, are thinking of bringing this time to 7:15, leaving even less and less time for students to get ready. There may be some reasons why schools may want this, but the negative effects of this decision are undeniable.…

    • 561 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The Importance Of Block Scheduling In Schools
    • 429 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Importance Of Block Scheduling In Schools

    A high school student walks through a narrow hallway bustling with rushing kids; however, her mind is far away being chased by plaguing responsibilities. Her thoughts whirl around in the back of her head constantly ticking through what she believes are the worst possibilities. She ponders of failing a test, not getting into the best high school, not having enough time to study, not completing all her homework, and not meeting the expectations of her parents. Her mind constantly just worries as if can no longer fathom relaxation. On the outside she keeps a blank expression and walks on; the student avoids meeting the eyes of the other students also competing in the game of "who can get into the best college and make his/her parents proud".…

    • 429 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Argumentative Essay: Should School Start Later?
    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Argumentative Essay: Should School Start Later?

    If school starts later, students can have time in the morning to complete homework and to study. It incredibly benefits students with below-average test scores since they have an opportunity to study extra. Therefore, they can score higher and be less prone to failing. A sleep expert named Paul Kelley from the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at the University of Oxford noticed an increase in test scores when school started later in the morning. School districts all over the US have seen the changes and have started to revise their school times and made them later therefore, students can improve and focus on their academics.…

    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Later School Start Times
    • 953 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Later School Start Times

    People worldwide are concerned about schools starting too early in the day and have been debating about the benefits of later school start times. Every weekday, students must face the struggle of waking up early to get ready for school without getting enough sleep the night before. Schools starting at a later time during weekdays would allow students to have extra time to sleep in the morning and be more alert and focused. This can result in less sleep-related car accidents and tardies. It can also provide opportunities for students to succeed in school because studies show that alert students are more willing to study and understand concepts than if they were tired.…

    • 953 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2024 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  Cookie Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings