Does School Start Too Early?

by Kori Rodley Irons | More from this Blogger

There have been research studies and reports lately raising the question of whether starting school at 8:00-8:30 am is just too early for adolescents. These studies are showing that the physical growth and the physiological changes going on in the adolescent brain make it difficult for the early start to be a productive contribution to the teenager's education. If I was going to ignore the reports and studies and just go from personal experience-my own teenage years and observing my children, I'd have to say that getting kids to school and expecting them to be at their best by 8:00 am may not be the best use of time.

Now that we are on winter break, I'm reminded that my teenagers' natural biological time clocks at this age are not the same as mine. They roll out of bed late morning and then are going strong until quite late at night or into the wee hours of the morning. If allowed to self-regulate, they get plenty of sleep and can have quite productive days. However, during the time that school is in session, I know they aren't getting enough sleep-staying up too late and rousing themselves to get to school on time-and they feel like the first half of the school day is "a waste."

While the 8-3 school day seemed a good fit when they were younger, it certainly doesn't seem to take advantage of the teens growth, sleep and wake patterns. If I was ruler of the world (I don't even know if I'm rule of my own little world), I would have teens start school at 10 or 11 in the morning, and then go until 4:30 or so. They'd still have time for after-school activities-jobs, sports, clubs, etc.-as well as their all-important social lives. And, they'd get a couple more hours of sleep-better health and productivity all around. What do you think?

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