School Start Times Under the Microscope

An 18-month-old study that would change start and end times for all of Dearborn School District’s students remains in limbo.

The plan was presented at the school board’s Feb. 28 study session, but it is unclear when–or if–any changes would be implemented.

The school start time committee began meeting in May of 2009 to discuss the issue after the idea was brought up that later start times for high school students might have a positive impact on schoolwork, among other things. After conducting a study and doing a fair amount of research, the committee released recommendations in December 2009 that school start times for high school and middle school be reversed, with middle school students arriving at school before their high school counterparts.

The effort, however, has since been stalled.

Dr. Gail Shenkman, the assistant superintendent of Dearborn Schools, said the study was commissioned in 2009 after some parents suggested looking at start times, but the information was not presented to the board until this week.

 “The committee work began on May 13, 2009,” she said. “The superintendent of schools (Brian Whiston) said we should report the results to the board at this time so they know the results.”

The start time shake-up–if it comes to pass–could change start and end times up to an hour different for high school students; a half hour for middle school students. How the changes will affect parents juggling dropping kids off with work schedules are unknown at this point, and a slew of issues regarding safety and bus transportation are still being debated.

School spokesman David Mustonen said there are no immediate plans to put the time changes on the agenda for a vote, and that more research needs to be done.

 “It’s something we looked at," he said, "but the board members requested more information, and we’ll submit that to them."

Timing is Everything

As of this year, high school students begin class at 7:20 a.m. and are released at 2:15 p.m.; middle school students start at 8 a.m. and leave at 2:55 p.m.; and elementary school students attend class from 8:40 a.m. until 3:35 p.m.

The committee’s recommendations indicate that middle school students should attend class from 7:30 a.m.-2:25 p.m.—a half hour earlier than their present start time. High school students would arrive at school at 8:20 a.m. and leave at 3:05 p.m.—a full hour later than current start times. Elementary students would start class 15 minutes later at 8:55 a.m. and leave at 3:45 p.m.

These times were determined using several methods, including polling other area districts, analyzing data from several sources, and looking at the potential impact on sports and after school jobs, as well as after-school extra-curricular activities, Shenkman said.

Part of the study determined how much support changing times would have. The district conducted an e-mail survey that measured the opinions of 1,800 staff, parents, students and community members.

Although about 54 percent of respondents indicated support of the time changes, Shenkman said many parents expressed they would be against the changes after members of the committee presented their findings at parent-teacher meetings.

Education Board Hesitant to Move Forward

Upon learning of the committee's findings Feb. 28, members of the Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education also were skeptical that the changes would make difference in student achievement, or that parents would support it. They also indicated that the earlier start time for middle school students could cause unforeseen safety and transportation problems because it’s dark outside.

“I don’t think it would make much difference,” said Trustee Aimee Blackburn, referring to the effect changing times might have on high school students' ability and willingness to get up in time for school. “Students often don’t want to go to school–I don’t think the time difference is going to change it.”

Trustee Mary Lane said she didn’t think that the changes would affect students in the afternoon.

“I don’t think we have to worry about after-school jobs," she said, "because not many of the students have those because of the economy."

Board members requested that the administration provide more specific information on time changes and student achievement from other districts, which the board will present at a future meeting.

Shenkman said the district–if the board chooses to move ahead with the changes–would have to conduct new surveys and solicit more information from parents before a plan is approved.

Also, time changes would have to be negotiated with the various unions in the district, including the Dearborn Federation of Teachers, before they can be implemented.