Peak Learning Time
"Given that the primary focus of education is to maximize human potential, then a new task before us is to ensure that the conditions in which learning takes place address the very biology of our learners." Mary A. Carskadon, PhD, Director of E.P. Bradley Hospital Research Laboratory and professor in Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University School of Medicine-See National Sleep Foundation for more info.
Great story from NPR about how kids and schools benefit.
Janine's Public Service Announcement
What Does the Research Tell Us?
1. Sleep and school attendance improve when older students start their school day later.
Summary from Changing Times: Findings From the First Longitudinal Study of Later High School Start Times by Kyla Wahlstrom2002
Who Benefits?
Numerous “beneficiaries” of a later high school start time emerge from the
evidence in the study. The students benefited the most. For example, atten-
dance rates for all students in grades 9, 10, and 11 improved in the years from
1995 to 2000, with the greatest rate of improvement for grade 9 students.
Furthermore, students who did not have a pattern of continuous enrollment
in the school district showed a marked improvement in their daily attendance
rates after the initiation of the later start time in 1997–1998.
Perhaps the most surprising finding was the discovery that Minneapolis
high school students continue to get an hour’s more sleep each school night
than is the case for students whose schools begin an hour earlier. The increas-
ed sleep was a finding after the first year of the late start, and it continued to be
true 4 years into the change. This is contrary to the fears and expectations that
a later start would result in students staying awake an hour later on school
nights. Instead, students in Minneapolis high schools get 5 more hours of sleep
per week than do their peers in schools that start earlier in the day.
2. Juvenile crime and risky behavior of teens decrease when older students end their school day later.
From City of Chattanooga Crime Task Force Report, 2008
Turning teens loose on the streets at such an early release time (2:15 p.m.) with neither constructive activity nor parental supervision presents another set of challenges. For some, there are after-school athletic activities, clubs, and employment to invest time and energy. For others, the last bell signals opportune time for mischief. The prime time for juvenile crime is from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Neighborhoods turn into playgrounds for testing interpersonal relationships, dealing with conflict, and experimenting with high-risk behaviors involving drugs and sexual encounters. At issue here is the organizational policy and practice of release at a time that offers strong temptations without parental support systems in place given the likelihood that parent(s) are at work. A question must be raised about the continuation of a practice that threatens both emotional and physical boundaries.
1. Sleep and school attendance improve when older students start their school day later.
Summary from Changing Times: Findings From the First Longitudinal Study of Later High School Start Times by Kyla Wahlstrom2002
Who Benefits?
Numerous “beneficiaries” of a later high school start time emerge from the
evidence in the study. The students benefited the most. For example, atten-
dance rates for all students in grades 9, 10, and 11 improved in the years from
1995 to 2000, with the greatest rate of improvement for grade 9 students.
Furthermore, students who did not have a pattern of continuous enrollment
in the school district showed a marked improvement in their daily attendance
rates after the initiation of the later start time in 1997–1998.
Perhaps the most surprising finding was the discovery that Minneapolis
high school students continue to get an hour’s more sleep each school night
than is the case for students whose schools begin an hour earlier. The increas-
ed sleep was a finding after the first year of the late start, and it continued to be
true 4 years into the change. This is contrary to the fears and expectations that
a later start would result in students staying awake an hour later on school
nights. Instead, students in Minneapolis high schools get 5 more hours of sleep
per week than do their peers in schools that start earlier in the day.
2. Juvenile crime and risky behavior of teens decrease when older students end their school day later.
From City of Chattanooga Crime Task Force Report, 2008
Turning teens loose on the streets at such an early release time (2:15 p.m.) with neither constructive activity nor parental supervision presents another set of challenges. For some, there are after-school athletic activities, clubs, and employment to invest time and energy. For others, the last bell signals opportune time for mischief. The prime time for juvenile crime is from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Neighborhoods turn into playgrounds for testing interpersonal relationships, dealing with conflict, and experimenting with high-risk behaviors involving drugs and sexual encounters. At issue here is the organizational policy and practice of release at a time that offers strong temptations without parental support systems in place given the likelihood that parent(s) are at work. A question must be raised about the continuation of a practice that threatens both emotional and physical boundaries.
What Can Be Done?
Parents and community leaders can work with school officials and school boards to make things change. Be part of the solution. Talk to school leaders and school board members today! Check out this report. The school official says that if parents were to speak out, he would think about start times. If you think your middle school or high school kid could benefit from a later start time, don't be afraid to speak up!
Great Story on NPR about districts that have made the change. Listen here:
High Schools Starting Later to Help Sleepy Teens - Listen to this NPR story here:
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