Is a New Start Time in Your Future?

John MatthewsRetired Director of Transportation

Montgomery County Public Schools1998-99 Past President ASBO

Do YOU Get Enough Sleep

HOUSE BILL 883 Signed by Governor 5/15/14

Ways and Means/Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs

Introduced by Delegates: A. Miller, Arora, Barkley, Barve, Bobo, Boteler, Carr, Cullison, Dumais, Fraser–Hidalgo, Frick, George, Gutierrez, Guzzone, Hucker, A. Kelly, McMillan, Pena–Melnyk, S. Robinson, F. Turner, and A. Washington A. Washington, and Cardin

MD House of Delegates HB 883

• Requires the Office of Public Health Services in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

• to conduct a certain study of safe and healthy school hours for Maryland public schools,

• consult with certain persons, • make recommendations relating to alternative

school day starting times • generally relating to a study of safe and healthy

school hours for public schools in Maryland.

In conducting the study required under subsection (a) of this section, the Office of Public Health Services shall: • review the science on the sleep needs of children and

adolescents, including effects of sleep deprivation on academic performance and benefits of sufficient sleep;

• review and study how other school systems have implemented alternative school day starting times and how various activities in those school systems were impacted and scheduled around the changes;

• consult with the following persons:

State Board of Education Maryland boards of education Association of Boards of Education Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland Maryland State Education Association Maryland Association of School Principals State Department of Education A mental health professional who specializes in young adult and adolescent health issues The School Psychologists Association; A pediatrician who has expertise in adolescent health care

The Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics A doctor who specializes in child and adolescent sleep disorders

The Maryland Sleep Society The Maryland Department of Transportation Start School Later The Maryland PTA A student enrolled in a Maryland public high school An athletic director or a coach employed by a Maryland public middle or high school who has expertise in after–school sports activities One representative of the Maryland School Psychologist Association; and

HOUSE BILL 883

• Make recommendations regarding whether public schools in the State should establish a policy regarding a school starting time of 8:00 a.m. or later.

• On or before December 31, 2014, the Task

Force the Office of Public

Montgomery County History 1993: First Concerted Effort on Bell Times– For $800k savings at the expense of sleep• Standardized school day by level• Began most high schools earlier

– Most 15–20 minutes earlier– One 25, one 30, one 50 minutes earlier (one 5 min. later)

Standardized Bell Times First EstablishedHigh 7:25 a.m.–2:10 p.m. Middle 7:55 a.m.–2:40 p.m.

Elementary 1 8:50 a.m.–3:05 p.m.Elementary 2 9:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

History 4

• 1997: Studies emerge on the harmful effects of sleep deprivation on teenagers from: –Brown University– Stanford University–University of California

Studies Revealed• Inability to change sleep desire/patterns• 13–25 year olds need 9.25 hours of sleep• Average high school student gets 7.25 hours• Onset of sleepiness occurs around 11:00 p.m.• Naturally resist sleep before 11:00 p.m.• Cannot artificially change circadian rhythm• This science has not changed and is well reconfirmed and

documented

Benefit Claims

• Improved academic performance• Reduced irritability• Improved decision-making• Reduced incidences of depression• Reduced incidences of traffic accidents• Improved health and quality of life• Other Social benefits– Reduced teen pregnancy– Reduced after-school teen crime

Around the Area

• Loudon now: All high schools 9:00 a.m.–3:48 p.m.

• Arlington: Switched middle school and high school and delayed 2001

• Fairfax: RFP for vendor implementation• Anne Arundel ?• Howard ?• Garrett?

Elsewhere

• Edina Minnesota, early 90’s

• Few places found that also implemented

• No consistent outcomes academically

• Not many schools changed throughout the US

Stakeholder Concerns

• Impact to after-school activities– Sports– Jobs—financial support for some families– Day care

• Balancing the needs of high school students on middle and elementary students

• Cost vs. Performance Gains• Performance Gains vs. Other Benefits

Answers

• Complex• Involves many stakeholder groups/interests• Likely to have budgetary impact

Survey: What is the impact to your system?

• How many have schools (any level) that start before 8:00 a.m.?

• How many have only high schools that start before 8:00 a.m.?

• What would the impact be to your organization?

• Discussion

DISCUSSION