After considering practical matters such as how much money it would cost and whether parents would accept the schedule change, few schools have been willing to change their starting times. It recently decided against the later start. For many districts, juggling starting times even a little could mean millions of dollars in extra transportation costs. For parents and students, it would mean changing schedules for day care, after-school jobs, sports and other extracurriculars. Although the medical research clearly indicates a late start time is better academically for the kids, a majority are clearly more concerned with how it affects sports and the band and other after-school things.
Recent studies show that a child's biological clock moves forward in the teen years.
Researchers say teens need nine hours of sleep. Proponents of later starting times say students' grades, well-being and attitudes would improve with more sleep. But given a choice between a later start and going to school early, the majority preferred to start school as early as possible. Kids in all grades wanted to be first. Eventually, the school board voted against the later day because, members said, no matter what the changes, a third of parents and teachers would oppose it.