Upholding the Start Time of Montgomery County Public Schools

Critical Thinking Paper

Anna Olsson April 16, 2013 Red Group.

Mothers and students in Montgomery County (MOCO) have begun to

petition for a later start time for students, despite the numerous complications that such modifications would cause. This spurt of call to action is in result of recent hardships experienced by many, increasing levels of stress and reduced sleep. There are, however, rational solutions to the lack of rest in many households that impede the high demands of those who believe the problem can merely be fixed by signatures and hours of protest. Montgomery Public County Schools must keep its 7:15 start time, as pushing it later is not only financially impractical, but it would cause complications for those committed to extracurricular activities and inconveniences for all who are involved with the county. The discussion on the start time of schools has only recently surfaced, in result of increased stress that comes with economic turmoil, as well as added stress on students to perform well in school, and in extracurricular activities. For years, students have attended school on a daily basis, and been released at the same time that best abides to their busy schedules and the numerous adults that also adhere to this schedule. For the handful of parents who are currently petitioning for a later start time, rationality is overlooked. Countless hours of door-to-door petitioning, lengthy meetings with the board of education, and constant preaching is only met with the reality of their illogical desires. Their main argument is the need for sleep among teenagers, and their lack of free time to rest from their rigorous schedules, however there are in

fact many more straight forward ways to fix these problems then going through the trouble to rearrange schedules, reroute busses, and adjust to such drastic changes. In the past, other practical measures have been taken to solve the prolonged issue of fatigue common on teenagers. Several research studies have shown that lots of outside factors contribute to the enervated feeling felt daily. Stress added by performance in sports wears down the body and mind quickly, and in result it has been suggested that those who choose to pursuit a sport be mindful of their prior commitment to school, and find a rational balance between the two. Social pressures also add stress on the mind, and at time can lead to cumbersome choices that only help deteriorate ones well-being. The amount of stress felt is a common issue shared by many, however moving the start time will only add complications to busy schedules, an in so not helping to aid stress levels, rather propelling it. While additional sleep is the foremost presented benefit from those who are advocating the later start time, there are a multitude of reasons not to move the start time that overwhelm the few prudent arguments made by the opposition. Financially inept, MOCO has already reflected financial turmoil by cutting down bus services, canceling certain after school activities, and putting many out of work. In order to alter the start time of all schools in Montgomery County, it will take the time of a multitude of officials and personnel to reschedule the start times of school openings, activities,

and bus services. Since MOCO is accountable for providing all of its students with breakfast, facilities would still need to be open at an appropriate time in the morning, to aid those who need assistance. The overwhelming amount of changes needed to abide to the later start time must also account for the financial demand that these changes would need to be met in order to be successful. This demand simply can not be realistically be met given the financial condition of the county at this time. As another result of the later start time, student athletes would be forced to practice later into the night, as their practices would have to be later to abide to the new end times of school. To avoid going to bed at an uncanny hour, students would have to cram homework in the mornings, or rush to finish it before classes. The purpose of altering the start time, to extend the amount of sleep for students would not be accomplished, as the students would be preoccupied with juggling academics and their commitment to their sport. In multiple studies conducted by The National Academy of Sleep and Performance in Academic Endeavors, it is proven that student athletes suffer most from sleep deprivation, as academics by itself

are a stressful load on the body/brain and so when mixed with the needs for muscle repair and functionality without an addquete amount of rest, then inflammation and dammage is enhanced (NASPAE).
Parents believe that a later start time would allow students to have more time to sleep, however they overlook the complications it would

present. The majority of parents or guardians have jobs and occupations that require prompt attendance, and for those who would otherwise transport their students to school, a later start time would prevent them from doing so. Additionally, bus routes and times would have to be altered to abide to the new starting time, not to mention that rerouting the bus routes in accordance to the new schedule would be tedious. Students who rely on provided breakfasts would still have to arrive at school in the morning, therefore requiring staff to be at school as well, failing to save the county any money in staff overtime. Finally, after school extracurricular activities would have to be cancelled, or moved to the morning, once again defeating the purpose of such time adjustments. The call for a later start time in Montgomery County should not be met, as the demands reflect no consideration of the difficulties the changes would cause. The current start time of schools allow students time in the morning to prepare for the day, time after school to pursue extracurricular activities, and time for all students to get an adequate amount of sleep. Past arguments of the matter have failed due to irrationality of the demands, and more adequate solutions to the problem. Resetting start times is not only financially unfeasible, but it would also cause uncanny complexities for students who are committed to other programs, and parents who would have to reschedule their days, and for such reasons the start time in Montgomery County is best as it is.

Annotated Bibliography Mitesser, George. "A Comparison of Student Achievement Between Morning Math Classes and Afternoon Math Classes." University of Hartford. N.p., June 2010. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. <http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/>. As the studies of Mr. Mitesser show, that teachers and students alike preform better in the morning than in the later afternoon. This information proved useful to my thesis that by moving back the start time, the window of high performance is lessened. Planet Berry. "Lack Of Sleep: Academic Athletes Suffer Most." Planet Berries. N.p., 2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. <http://www.planetberries.com/lack-of-sleep.html>. This site provided me with direct study results and evidence that academic athletes suffer from sleep deprivation. Tower, Danielle. "Relationship Between Athletic and Academic Success: A Pilot Study." University of Connecticut Digital Commons. Honor Scholars Program, 1 May 2008. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. <http://digitalcommons.uconn.edu>. In this extensive study of the relationship between student athletes and their performance in academics, I was provided with accurate, thorough, and well rounded research with accurate conclusions of the matter.

Works Cited Mitesser, George. "A Comparison of Student Achievement Between Morning Math Classes and Afternoon Math Classes." University of Hartford. N.p., June 2010. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. <http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/>. Planet Berry. "Lack Of Sleep: Academic Athletes Suffer Most." Planet Berries. N.p., 2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. <http://www.planetberries.com/lack-of-sleep.html>. Tower, Danielle. "Relationship Between Athletic and Academic Success: A Pilot Study." University of Connecticut Digital Commons. Honor Scholars Program, 1 May 2008. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. <http://digitalcommons.uconn.edu>.