Seattle Press on Line - Sleepless in Seattle Schools

Teacher Ted

Sleepless in Seattle Schools

By Ted Lockery

Oct 11, 2001 -- "The early bird catches the worm," they say. But just ask any high school student how they feel about having to catch their first academic class at 7:45 AM. They'd probably reply in Latin--something to the effect of "It sux!"

Think about it. Would you be ready and able to face differential equations an hour before the winter sun has crested the Cascades? How would you feel about having to take your history exam, or having to participate in a slide show and class discussion on STDs in the dark hours long before sensible people get around to pouring their coffee and buttering their toast?

Ask what high school teachers think of early morning start-up times and their Latin doesn't translate much differently. Sure, it's a hassle for us at times--we're the ones presenting the slide shows and leading the near-silent discussions in the seven o'clock hour--but it really takes its toll on the kids. While my third period health class can barely keep it together to speak one-at-a-time, my first period health class is so comatose I'm tempted to take attendance by checking each student's pulse.

Critics of early-start school schedules, however, are no longer hitting their snooze buttons, waiting for the day when high schools will start at an hour more conducive to cognitive endeavors. A recent study by the University of Minnesota has determined that high school students are more likely to attend class or to come to school more regularly when school starts an hour later.

"Attendance and continuous enrollment have improved significantly," said Dr. Kyla Wahlstrom, lead author of the study.

Dr. Wahlstom's research, conducted in seven Minneapolis high schools, also concluded that later start times led to students acquiring up to one extra hour of sleep per night, an average decrease in mood swings, and a noticeable increase in academic performance.

Rick Harwood, Assistant Principal at Nathan Hale High School, is supportive of a later-start high school schedule. "I think it's a great idea, and one that our Site Council has been advocating for years," he said. Starting school an hour later, Harwood claims, would also enable high schools to offer a greater variety of classes with a more flexible schedule.

School districts that have explored the time change have cited logistical and financial concerns associated with providing buses for high school transportation to run simultaneously with middle and elementary school routes. Advocates have countered that elementary schools could assume the earlier schedule, given that younger children tend to go to bed and rise earlier, and have fewer physical demands than adolescents (i.e. puberty), that require more hours of sleep. They also suggest that free Metro bus passes be issued to high school students in lieu of full bus routes.

Sources indicate that Superintendent Olchefske is open to the idea of later-start schedules for high schools, provided reasonable solutions to the logistical and financial issues are reached.

So, put on your thinking caps, get a good night sleep, and send Mr. Olchefske (and this column) your brilliant ideas.

Write to: teacherted@seattlepress.com.

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