After reviewing an article by the National Sleep Foundation based on extensive studies showing that teenagers perform better in school if their school starts later in the morning, the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD is adjusting their high school start times from 7:30 to 8:20 am. The tardy bell at Lake Highlands High rings at 9 o’clock sharp.
Research indicates that teenagers’ body clocks are hardwired for staying up later and waking up later, and that laziness or lack of motivation isn’t to blame. Teachers who spoke at the C-FB school board meeting told of groggy students gaining little from first period classes.
Of course, you could start school at noontime and some kid would still be dragging in rubbing his eyes, but I applaud our Richardson ISD for choosing 9 am to ring the high school bell. LHHS has a high participation rate in extracurricular activities, some before school and some after, and a 9-4 day makes room for everything from band practice at 7 pm to rehearsals for the school musical until well after dark.
Crafting the school schedule is a complicated process, because the district saves money by using the fewest number of buses possible. That means the same bus that picks up elementary students for their 8 am classes is recycled throughout the day, including field trips during the day and interscholastic competitions after school.
I congratulate CFBISD for moving in the right direction, but I think we’re doing it right here in the good ole RISD.
