For those in MA

[drwex]

especially if you have, have had, or will have school-aged children, please consider adding your name to this petition to set Massachusetts Middle and High School start times to 8:30 AM or later.

We have had two children go through this. One managed/manages it, but would enjoy life more if it wasn't a requirement. The other is just not coping with school starting at 7:30.

There is reasonable scientific evidence that these hours are not beneficial for children, particularly as they approach puberty. And frankly it'd just be a lot less stress on parents.

Thanks for your consideration.

Comments

[wotw]

I am strongly in favor of having middle and high school start times set to 8:30AM or later and strongly opposed to start times being mandated by the state legislature. Why isn't this a local issue?

[drwex]

What I was told is that this is a policy set by each school district. The state issues guidelines, which are voluntary (at least in MA) for schools to follow or not. In part these guidelines come with the funding the state provides to support each district's budget and transportation expenses. Some states mandate following the guidelines if you accept the funding.

We believe that getting the state guidelines changed will lead many (most?) districts to change even in a voluntary system like MA's.