Jan 20, 2015

Student Achievement and Health

Studies indicate that starting school later is beneficial for the

academic performance and health of teenagers, while theory suggests that elementary students should not be adversely affected by an earlier start time.

School Board Resolution (October 7, 2014)

It is the goal of Montgomery County Public Schools to achieve middle and high school start times after 8:30 . . . and elementary start times after 7:40.

At the school board’s direction, the superintendent convened a

committee to investigate start times.

The committee includes representatives from each strand of Montgomery County Public Schools.

The committee includes representatives from

many of MCPS’s constituencies: parents, students, business and community leaders, childcare providers, administrators, teachers, coaches, curriculum supervisors, student services and law enforcement representatives, with medical and transportation advisors.

Secondary Parents 1,553 Elementary Parents 1,524 Secondary Staff 449 Elementary Staff 412 Secondary Students 3,711 Total 7,649

3,077

861

3,711

All Parents

All Staff

Secondary

Students

1,553

1,524

449 412

3,711

Secondary

Parents

Elementary

Parents

Secondary Staff

Elementary Staff

Secondary

Students

Surveys found no consensus among the groups beyond a shared recognition of the value of sleep and its effect on alertness.

Research supports later school start times for secondary students.

Research on elementary school start times is limited, a fact that the committee confirmed with researchers.

Research on sleep, however, indicates that elementary students typically fall asleep earlier and wake earlier.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends about 9 hours of sleep for secondary students and 10 for elementary students.

Of the survey respondents, 77% of MCPS elementary parents and 52% of secondary parents believe students need 9 or more hours of sleep to perform best. These beliefs are consistent with research and recommendations from professional organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics.

4% of MCPS secondary students get more than 9 hours of sleep per night.

19% of secondary students report getting 8-9 hours of sleep per night.

57% of elementary parents report their child is getting 9 or more hours of sleep per night.

58% of secondary students report it is not easy to wake on school days.

55% of elementary parents say it is easy for students to wake on school days.

Hours of Sleep Reported Per Night

13.40%

31.68%

31.98%

19.12%

3.82%

5.31%

36.92%

44.39%

13.38%

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00%

Less than 6

6-7

7-8

8-9

9-10

More than 10

Elementary

Secondary

72% of secondary staff and 69% of secondary parents think lack of sleep affects students’ academic performance.

57% of secondary students report not feeling alert and well-rested when they get to school in the morning.

43% of secondary students report feeling tired during school most days or every day.

70% of elementary staff report that their students are more ready to learn and engaged in the morning.

32.33%

42.90%

15.97%

5.26% 3.54%

Hours Spent on Homework as Reported by

Secondary Students

< 1

1-2

2-3

3-4

>4

73.68% do their homework after school. 24.03% complete it during school and 2.29% complete it before school.

Transportation

62.12%

19.92%

13.56%

4.40%

56.52%

27.79%

13.26%

2.44%

59.97%

32.65%

7.37%

54.51%

39.61%

0.00%

5.99%

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00%

PM Bus

PM Parents Drive

PM Students Drive

PM Walk/Bike

AM Bus

AM Parents Drive

AM Students Drive

AM Walk/Bike

Elementary

Secondary

12.31%

9.51%

1.19%

76.99%

3.14%

21.20%

7.92%

67.74%

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00% 90.00%

< 1 hour

1 to 2 hours

> 2 hours

Not in ch.care

P.M.

A.M.

Child Care

9.76% of elementary parents would still need morning child care if start times changed. 34.98% of elementary parents report that a change in dismissal time would result in a need for evening child care. 12% of secondary parents report that their secondary students provide after-school child care to siblings on a regular basis.

3.32%

23.90%

14.56%

6.00%

52.23%

16.54%

24.66%

9.28%

7.23%

42.28%

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00%

1 hour or less

2 hours

3 hours

4 or more

N/A

Other Extra Curricular

School Sports

Hours in Other Activities

Most districts that have moved to later secondary start times have experienced few problems related to athletics.

Many districts have seen increased

participation in sports (Edina, MN) and improved performance by their athletic teams (Wilton, CT; Nathan Hale, Seattle, WA).

Research has shown that sleep deprivation has

a severe impact on coordination and endurance.

National Sleep Foundation

Shifting the current practice time slots may lengthen some student athletes’ days or require scheduling alternatives.

Students may need to leave before the end of the school day to travel to some athletic events.

Impacts on outdoor sporting events and practice schedules would depend on available facility lighting (home and away) and timing of competitions.

A later secondary start time would decrease students’ wait time between the end of the school day and the arrival time of many coaches.

89% of secondary parents and 67% of students said a later dismissal time would not conflict with students’ current after-school job schedules.

Locality Elementary Middle

School

High

School

Buses Earliest

Elem. Bus

Pickup

Alleghany 8:10 - 2:35

9:05 - 3:05

8:35 – 3:25 8:35 – 3:25 Some split;

outlying ride

together

6:25

Botetourt 7:50 – 2:30 8:40 – 3:15 9:05 – 3:35 Two tier 6:40

Martinsville 7:50 – 2:30 8:20 – 3:30 8:25 – 3:30 Two tier 7:00

Roanoke City 7:45 – 2:25 8:45 – 3:25 8:45 – 3:25 Two tier 6:45

Roanoke

County

7:50 – 2:20 8:20 – 3:20 8:20 – 3:20 Most split;

outlying ride

together

6:30

Salem 8:00 – 2:20 8:40 – 3:20 7:55 – 2:55 MS, HS, Elem

separate

7:00

Average Current School Hours

No. of School Hours

Range of Pickup Times

Average School Drop-Off Time

Elementary 9:00 – 3:30 6.50 7:45 – 8:08 8:30

Middle 7:40 – 2:25 6.75 6:25 – 7:00 7:15

High 7:50 – 2:35 6.75 6:25 – 7:00 7:25

Current Schedule

Total No. of Regular Bus Routes Involved = 82 No additional cost

Average School Hours

Number of Hours

Range of Pickup Times

Average Drop-Off Time

Elementary 7:40 – 2:10 6.50 6:30 – 6:55 7:15

Sec. – Middle 8:40 – 3:25 6.75 7:25 – 7:48 8:15

Sec. – High 8:40 – 3:25 6.75 7:25 – 7:48 8:25

Plan A (Elementary Schools Start First)

Plan B (Elementary Schools Start First – 10 min. later)

Average School Hours

Number of Hours

Range of Pickup Times

Average Drop-Off Time

Elementary 7:50 – 2:20 6.50 6:50 – 7:05 7:30

Sec. – Middle 8:55 – 3:40 6.75 7:40 – 7:58 8:30

Sec. – High 8:55 – 3:40 6.75 7:40 – 7:58 8:30

Total No. of Regular Bus Routes Involved = 82 Cost: $48,180.60 (wages for additional route time)

Total No. of Regular Bus Routes Involved = 82 Cost: $48,180.60 (wages for additional route time)

Average School Hours

Number of Hours

Range of Pickup Times

Average Drop-Off Time

Elementary 8:00 – 2:30 6.50 6:50 – 7:05 7:30

Sec. – Middle 8:45 – 3:30 6.75 7:35 – 7:48 8:25

Sec. – High 8:45 – 3:30 6.75 7:35 – 7:48 8:25

1. Elementary Schools Start First – 20 min. later

2. Elementary Schools Start First – 1st Elem. Stop at 7 am

Average School Hours

Number of Hours

Range of Pickup Times

Average Drop-Off Time

Elementary 8:00 – 2:30 6.50 7:00 – 7:15 7:40

Sec. – Middle 9:05 – 3:50 6.75 7:50 – 8:08 8:25

Sec. – High 9:05 – 3:50 6.75 7:50 – 8:08 8:25

Total No. of Regular Bus Routes Involved = 82 Cost: $48,180.60 (wages for additional route time)

Total No. of Regular Bus Routes Involved = 103 Cost: $2,514,642.00 (21 additional routes, drivers wages and mileage)

Schedules Considered and Not Selected by Committee

3. All Schools 30 min. later

Average School Hours

Number of Hours

Range of Pickup Times

Average Drop-Off Time

Sec. – Middle 8:10 – 2:55 6.75 6:55 – 7:30 7:45

Sec. – High 8:20 – 3:05 6.75 6:55 – 7:30 7:55

Elementary 9:30 – 4:00 6.50 8:15 – 8:38 9:00

Total No. of Regular Bus Routes Involved = 82 No additional cost

Schedules Considered and Not Selected by Committee

58.79%

41.18%

46.09%

1.51%

0.00%

40.50%

58.82%

53.91%

75.79%

56.58%

0.71%

0.00%

0

22.70%

43.42%

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00%

Sec. Parents

Sec. Staff

Sec. Students

Elem. Parents

Elem. Staff

Too Late

Just Right

Too Early

Satisfaction With Current Start Times

38.78%

35.03%

32.82%

21.56%

10.15%

16.67%

39.66%

54.82%

50.58%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Sec. Parents

Sec. Staff

Sec. Students

8:40-3:25 8:55-3:40 7:40-2:35 (Current Start Time)

7.22%

13.57%

22.90%

38.04%

69.85%

48.49%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Elem. Parents

Elem. Staff

7:40:2:10 7:50-2:20 9:00-3:30 (Current Start Time)

Childcare needs

Safety

Academic performance

Family time and work schedules

Athletics and after school activities

Suggestion for 8 or 8:15 elementary start time

Concerns about change

Belief that secondary students still would

not sleep more if start times change

Limited research is available related to elementary start times.

Contacted Dr. Keller and Dr. Edwards in an attempt to find more elementary research:

Both confirmed they were not aware of other studies on elementary start times. Their findings do not align.

The National Sleep Foundation states that children ages 5-12 need 10 -11 hours of sleep per night.

Extensive research shows:

Teens need about 9 hours of sleep per night.

The hormones that regulate sleep make it difficult for teens to fall asleep before 11:00 p.m. or to be alert before 8 a.m.

Later school start times result in teens getting more sleep on school nights.

Extensive research shows benefits for teens: Achievement - improved student achievement with the most dramatic gains occurring for disadvantaged students

Health - reduction in daytime sleepiness, fatigue, substance abuse and

depression

Behavior – decrease in behavior problems, discipline referrals, absenteeism, tardiness, and dropout rates

Safety - reduction in car crashes and drowsy driving

*Insufficient sleep during the teen years is associated with obesity; migraines; immune system disruption; and risky behaviors including smoking, drinking, stimulant abuse, and suicidal thoughts.

Please visit MCPS website for a more comprehensive list of research.

Locality Elementary Middle

School

High School Buses Earliest

Elem. Bus

Pickup

Alleghany 8:10 - 2:35

9:05 - 3:05

8:35 – 3:25 8:35 – 3:25 Some split;

outlying ride

together

6:25

Botetourt 7:50 – 2:30 8:40 – 3:15 9:05 – 3:35 Two tier 6:40

Martinsville 7:50 – 2:30 8:20 – 3:30 8:25 – 3:30 Two tier 7:00

Roanoke

City

7:45 – 2:25 8:45 – 3:25 8:45 – 3:25 Two tier 6:45

Roanoke

County

7:50 – 2:20 8:20 – 3:20 8:20 – 3:20 Most split;

outlying ride

together

6:30

Salem 8:00 – 2:20 8:40 – 3:20 7:55 – 2:55 MS, HS, Elem

separate

7:00

Surveys found no consensus among the groups beyond a shared recognition of the value of sleep and its effect on alertness.

Research supports later start times for secondary.

Research on elementary school start times is limited, a fact that the committee confirmed with researchers.

Research on sleep, however, indicates that elementary students typically fall asleep earlier and wake earlier.

Many divisions in our area do have successful schedules

with earlier elementary start times followed by later secondary start times.

Committee wishes to thank the parents, staff, and students for their participation and input as well as thank the Superintendent and Board for considering all of the information provided.