<p>I see that this thread started a year ago, but glad to see it updated recently.</p>
<p>Our HS starts at 8am and is over at 3pm. As far as I know, there is also 0 hour those that need it.</p>
<p>Hard to believe that HS would start so early! Good luck in getting start time changed. Anyone can tell you that high school students don’t perform best in the AM.</p>
<p>I really don’t think this issue should be handled at the national level.</p>
<p>I used to agree with you–until I spent a decade working in my school system for change, and watching other local school systems around the country have similar frustrations. Two of my kids are grown now (one is a college graduate, the other a senior in college), and I have friends who have kids nearing 30 who gave up trying years ago. There are so many economic, political, and logistical issues that always seem to undermine change, even when the community (and school board) want it. Of course, some communities have succeeded, but many haven’t, as I’m sure people on this forum know. I’m a big proponent of local control of education issues, but every so often local schools can’t do what they need to do (desegregation would be another example). All this petition asks for is that the White House promote legislation (and it could be national or state) that sets a lower limit on how early schools can start. Local schools can figure out the details (such as starting elementaries at 8 and middle and high schools at whatever time they so choose). It’s simply a basic standard of decency, in the same way states mandate lunch times (not before 10 a.m.!). Without it,there’s nothing keeping schools from starting earlier and earlier to save $. If 7:17 is okay, why not 6:30? Or 5? Or 3? That would certainly save on fuel costs.</p>
<p>Beginning this school year, mY son’s HS changed starting time from 7:30 to 8:00 am. My son wakes up much more easier, Has more time to seat, I see a lot of benifit on it. </p>
<p>However, my family has a sleep curfew at 11:00 pm. I do believe that the biggest benefit will come from a student not procrastinating at night.</p>