Kate McCarthy

Teacher’s Academy
Current Topics in Education - Delayed School Start Times
Synopsis
In the multiple articles I viewed on the topic of delayed start times for school, I found
various consistencies in the research and conclusions made. For example, the main idea of the
article revolves around improving student’s physical and mental health, attendance, and
academic performance such as grades and graduation rates. The article also combats
frequently used debates against the process of delaying the start times of schools such as
‘student’s need to go to bed earlier’. This can be easily debated due to the fact melatonin
(sleep-inducing chemical) isn’t released until later in the evening. While the main objective of
delaying start times was to lessen the number of sleep-deprived students, many other positive
aspects are being produced. To go more into detail, one study showed that due to the student’s
alertness increasing (because of the delay in school), attendance has improved along with final
grades. On the other hand, the articles address that while there may be many positives to
making school start later, it is not the easiest of processes. The issues hurting the effectiveness
of this procedure is mainly because of extracurricular activities and transportation worries.

My Opinion
In my experience, I believe that it is a good idea for all schools to at the very least think
of delaying school for one day out of the week. I believe this due to the example my school has
provided. For example, the whole district of PCM has a 90 min delay every Monday. This delay
is not just to combat the issues addressed above, but also to greatly help the teachers.
Furthermore, I believe that in the long run, schools shouldn’t really worry about the adjustments
to the schedule they may have to make because of the people it could benefit. Lastly, to restate,
I believe that this idea will not only benefit the attitudes of the student’s, but I have also seen it
benefit the moods of the teachers in return.

Questions
1. In general, what is your opinion on delaying the start times of schools?

2. Do you believe that delaying school start times will actually be put to good use by
teachers and students, or are students just becoming lazier?

3. Do you think that this procedure will become more popular with a certain type of school?
For example, public school, private school, boarding school, etc.
 Sources
http://neatoday.org/2019/02/27/what-happens-when-schools-start-later/

http://neatoday.org/2017/04/13/later-school-start-times/

http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/12/eaau6200