CREATING OPTIMAL TIME FOR LEARNINGA community conversation about age-appropriate

sleep needs and research-based recommendations on changing school start times

THE WHY

THE CHARGE

Adolescent students are not getting enough quality sleepEarly school start times often lead to sleep deprivation, which can cause:

The ResearchThe American Sleep Association recommends middle and high schools start close to 9 a.m. or later. Better quality sleep results in:

Higher grades andtest scores

Reductions in tardiness

Decreased sports injuries

Fewer teenage car accidents

Decline in mental health issues

Decline in substance abuse

of students said they would use the additional time in the morning to sleep.

59% of parents64% of students

To advise whether Barrington 220 should and could optimize the defined time and configuration of an instructional day, understanding the system-wide impact on grades Pre-K-12.

6,500

92%

students, parents and staff participated in a community survey

student sleep is a priority

student sleep is a priority

THE INPUT 220 PROCESS

How have the recommendations been developed?

What has been considered?

33 options presented are in range of acceptable start times according to current research regarding sleep for all age groups and grade levels.

9+ 9+ scientific research institutions recommend adolescents begin school after 8:30 a.m. The American Sleep Association recommends starting at 9 a.m. or later.

40+ More than 40 meetings and conversations with community organizations, schools and departments to discuss this very complex issue.

35 35-person committee representing all 12 schools and a variety of stakeholder groups.

10 scenarios eliminated, including the status quo, due to contractual, financial and logistical constraints, or because they did not align with the current medical and mental health research recommendations on adolescent sleep needs.10

13 13 different scenarios have been considered, including the status quo.

Transportation

Sports and extra-curricular activities

Cost

Current medical and mental health research recommendations on adolescent sleep needs

Labor contractsCommunity and family impact

INPUT 220 RECOMMENDED SCENARIOSScenario #1

Aligns with research on adolescent sleep needs Maintains most parameters of current labor contract Preserves instructional time for grades pre-K-8 Provides more time for high school staff development Recovers some minutes of high school classroom time Requires about 50 additional buses $845,309 estimated annual added transportation costs based on current

state reimbursements Latest high school school end time

Pre-K-5 Schools 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.Middle Schools 8:50 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

High School 9 a.m. to 3:56 p.m.

Scenario #3

Aligns with research on adolescent sleep needs Maintains most parameters of current labor contract Preserves instructional time for grades pre-K-8 Provides more time for high school staff development Allows time for high school students to meet with teachers before school Requires no additional buses Lowest cost option $58,309 estimated annual added transportation costs based on current

state reimbursements Adjusts minutes of high school classroom time; latest high school start

Pre-K-5 Schools 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.Middle Schools 8:50 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

High School 9:30 a.m. to 3:48 p.m.

Scenario #2

Aligns with research on adolescent sleep needs Maintains most parameters of current labor contract Preserves instructional time for grades pre-K-8 Provides more time for high school staff development Requires 48 additional buses $841,309 estimated annual added transportation costs based on current

state reimbursements Adjusts minutes of high school classroom time

Pre-K-5 Schools 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.Middle Schools 8:50 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

High School 9 a.m. to 3:18 p.m.

HOW MIGHT THE HIGH SCHOOL DAY CHANGE?GoalAccommodate adolescent sleep needs while still allowing for a dismissal before 4 p.m.

Another PossibilityProfessional development time in the first scenario allows for the possibility of an alternating or modified-block schedule in future years. This possibility could...

• Create extended class periods, longer teacher-student interaction, blended learning opportunties and flexible course scheduling, and latitude for upperclassman to choose an earlier release

• Research shows modified block schedules can lead to:

Higher student GPAs

Increased graduation rates

Increased ability for higher thinking

Flexibility in length of classroom minutesThe State of Illinois recognizes learning can extend beyond our classroom walls. BHS is allowed to adjust the number of instructional minutes per day because virtual learning provides flexibility to augment traditional classroom instruction.

The quality of instruction happening inside a classroom is more valuable than the quantity.

One PossibilityAdjusting the length of class periods, while providing more efficient instruction. This scenario could...

• Provide additional time for professional development, necessary for high-school educators to plan and continue robust and engaging course offerings for students

• Allow teachers to be more accessible to students before school who need help or enrichment

• Create flexible scheduling for students to select an optional zero hour at 8:30 a.m.

While changes to the high school schedule are not part of the Input 220 recommendations, the BHS faculty is imagining a new approach to learning in response.

COMPARISON TO OTHER LATE-START SCHOOLSQuick Stats

Extra-curriculars, including sports and artsNo negative impact found in districts that have made the change

• Scheduling not an issue; athletic conferences adjusted start times for games

• Some high schools found partcipation increased, teams won more and there were fewer injuries

• Some elementary schools saw an increase in extra-curricular activity participation

• Some schools eliminated, or created guidelines, regarding before-school activities

NEW TRIER H.S.40 MINUTE PERIODS

EVANSTON H.S.42 MINUTE PERIODS

LAKE ZURICH H.S.44 MINUTE PERIODS

Of the approximately 70-benchmark high schools studied nationwide, Input 220 found none that

reverted to a pre-8 a.m. start time.

For more information on data and studies in this report, visit Barrington220.org/Input220

1,00050%43 mi

nutes

More than 1,000 high schools in the U.S. have moved to later start times, including the most recent in Illinois to announce a change, Stevenson High School, District 125. The top high schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin have moved their start times later.

Across the country, new start times typically range from 8 to 9:20 a.m. In a recent study of 38 high schools, nearly 50 percent moved to after 8:30 a.m.

According to 2009 research by James Madison University, the national norm for a class period is 43 minutes. The average length of class period for top-performing high schools in the Chicago-area is about 44 minutes, including: