Research has shown that when teens get the required 8.5 to 9 hours of sleep:
- School attendance goes up.
- Tardiness decreases.
- They sleep less in class.
- They get in fewer traffic accidents.
- They visit nurses and counselors less often.
- They report less depression and irritability.
Starting school before 8:15 a.m. like we do in Montgomery County without a doubt undermines optimal academic achievement.
That's why I created a petition on SignOn.org to Joshua Starr, Montgomery County's superintendent of schools, which says:
We respectfully request that our school board officially recognize the large and compelling body of research regarding adolescent sleep and academic achievement, and, with a resolution, set a goal to start high schools in Montgomery County after 8:15 a.m.
Thanks!
–Mandi Mader
An article quotes MCPS' Dana Tofig as saying "the school system has studied changing start times over the years," "it would affect every single student,” and “it would have a substantial impact on our operations and be expensive to implement.”
ReplyDeleteWhere's the study? Shouldn't parents who are considering signing the petition get to see and evaluate this information, too?