Sometimes, a bit of creative thinking is the key to solving what appears to be a difficult problem. In some school districts across the country, administrators are using the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic -- both good and bad -- as the foundation for changing what we know is another issue for students -- start times that are far too early.
In Ohio County Schools, board of education members and administrators have been discussing for the past several years the options for a later start time at Wheeling Park High School. Right now, school at Park starts at 7:45 a.m., and students often are outside waiting for a bus as early as 6 a.m. Studies show that, for high-school aged students, that is a recipe for lower student achievement.
Yet, even knowing that, some administrators, teachers and board members have been overly resistant to any change. The excuses have ranged from the cost of more buses to the "what we have works" syndrome.
In the end, it's only students they're harming. And the resistance comes at a time when other school districts around our country are figuring out how to do exactly what Ohio County claims it can't -- provide a later start time.
An Associated Press story this past week highlighted changes implemented at Upper Darby High School in Pennsylvania that pushed the start time from 7:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Students still get out of classes at the same time as before -- 3 p.m. How? Upper Darby is using distance learning as part of its school day.
From the AP story: "At Upper Darby High, the school day technically still begins at 7:30 a.m., with students assigned coursework to be done remotely that ties into their lessons for the day. But they can use the early morning hours as they see fit -- they can meet with teachers during office hours, sleep in or finish other homework. Ultimately, the work assigned for the early morning needs to be done, but when is up to students."
Distance learning has its challenges, but here's the key: instead of coming up with reasons not to change the start time, leaders at Upper Darby created an opportunity that they believe puts students first! Perhaps Ohio County should consider such an approach.