Later Start Times for High School Students....Does It Make Sense?

Hi Suzanne - Well, at least they got the part about starting after Labor Day right. And I agree with you about parental supervision, a vanishing phenomenon.

Suzanne,

I saw that article as I was scanning our news feed earlier today.  I know I hated my 8AM classes at the UofM, especially in the winter.  I too agree with you on parental supervision...and I would opt for starting earlier, so it would be done sooner, especially in winter when it gets dark earlier. A

Might make some sence in winter months, but not so much when it's still so warm here in the afternoons.  That's when I get sleepy.  Personally I enforced strict bedtimes for my kids until they were adults.

I would have to concur with you and the rest, I think the afternoons are the drowsier times, but I know that science says kids don't have the same circadian rhythms that adults have.  So when are they supposed to learn?  Parents and guardians should take note of the kids and their sleeping and work with them accordingly.

Suzanne I saw this on the morning news. My first thought was the parents need to figure out how to get all the electronic stuff out of the bedroom at bedtime even for high schoolers.  When I was a kid I'd get caught all the time trying to read a book after bedtime.  Of course it never worked cause somehow they knew my habits.  Had they not set down the rules I probably would have read late into the early morning and been tired - just like they're saying kids are today.

I've heard this about teens and if the later start times make them more productive and happy, I say go for it.

I got through school just fine, and I had to get up at the crack of dawn, and most of the time I walked...rain or shine. 

I saw this on a sign just the other day. This is from a financial adviser in Montrose, CO...Respect your parents. They finished school without Google. 

So yes...there are some societal changes happening these days. 

i feel that if parents had more control over getting the kids in bed and up in the mornings the kids would be awake.

I grew up on a working farm...I was lucky to get 6 hours a night and I was not falling asleep in class.  We just seem to have so many excuses nowdays for our lack of gumption and it isn't helping our kids at all.  |what are they going to do when they hit the real world and have to be to work at 8.  TRAIN THEM NOW!

Hi Suzanne -- I heard this issue discussed while listening to the radio between appointments -- one of the suggestions --- is that the teenage mind would probably work best if school started much later in the day -- maybe 10AM --- one of the suggestions was even a night school.   That wouldn't have worked for me -- I was and still am more of an early riser.   

I think starting earlier is still better.  Control over computers and phones late in the evening might be a better idea.