MCPS School Hours

[Anonymous]

Curious what the general consensus is on the MCPS school hours?

Elementary: 9:25AM - 3:45PM
Middle: 9:00AM - 3:00PM
HS: 7:45AM - 2:30PM

Elementary starting after most jobs' normal working hours seems... odd but them getting out relatively late so parents can get home from work soon after is better.

I get that HS and MS to a lesser extent get out earlier and start earlier to make room for after school sports/activities + homework. But what exactly is the problem with having later practices? Second, homework is not an effective way to learn and practice should be done in classroom, not out of it. Lastly, several recent studies about start times is the later the better for students' (especially teenagers) sleep, attentiveness, health, and learning outcomes.

I'm short, what in the world is the reasoning here and why haven't MCPS updated with the times? Are there vested interests (teachers, admins, parents(!?)) against it?

[Anonymous]

Later practices, mean homework is later, etc. My HS kid often doesn't go to be before 11-11:30 between homework and activities so what, they'd go to bed after midnight if it got pushed back? If you are worried about you teen having more sleep, send them to bed earlier.

[Anonymous]

The studies have shown that early bed times don't help, they actually need to start later. And the homework being so onerous sounds like the real problem here, would love to hear why it's even necessary in this day and age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious what the general consensus is on the MCPS school hours?

Elementary: 9:25AM - 3:45PM
Middle: 9:00AM - 3:00PM
HS: 7:45AM - 2:30PM

Elementary starting after most jobs' normal working hours seems... odd but them getting out relatively late so parents can get home from work soon after is better.

I get that HS and MS to a lesser extent get out earlier and start earlier to make room for after school sports/activities + homework. But what exactly is the problem with having later practices? Second, homework is not an effective way to learn and practice should be done in classroom, not out of it. Lastly, several recent studies about start times is the later the better for students' (especially teenagers) sleep, attentiveness, health, and learning outcomes.

I'm short, what in the world is the reasoning here and why haven't MCPS updated with the times? Are there vested interests (teachers, admins, parents(!?)) against it?

People love to propose these theoretic fantasy situations just because.

If you push the start time for high schools back, they’ll just go to bed later.

Let me guess: You also think the 50% rule in place of zeroes for missed assignments is a good idea too?

[Anonymous]

Here you go, OP:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/belltimes/index.aspx

You can read all about how we got here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The studies have shown that early bed times don't help, they actually need to start later. And the homework being so onerous sounds like the real problem here, would love to hear why it's even necessary in this day and age.

They have taken homework away. It’s only 10% of the grade so many kids skip it since they don’t mind taking the hit.

You know what result is? Kids are struggling to pass tests and they’re unprepared for college, where homework is expected of them. You live in fantasyland.

[Anonymous]

https://www.hopementalhealth.com/blog/early-school-start-times-linked-to-adolescent-depression-and-anxiety#:~:text=Studies%20show%20that%20extra%20sleep,than%20their%20earlier%2Dstarting%20counterparts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here you go, OP:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/belltimes/index.aspx

You can read all about how we got here.

So a small step in the right direction but a long way to go

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The studies have shown that early bed times don't help, they actually need to start later. And the homework being so onerous sounds like the real problem here, would love to hear why it's even necessary in this day and age.

Sounds like lazy parenting making excuses. Yes, they can go to bed earlier. Kids have very little homework in HS compared to when we were in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The studies have shown that early bed times don't help, they actually need to start later. And the homework being so onerous sounds like the real problem here, would love to hear why it's even necessary in this day and age.

They have taken homework away. It’s only 10% of the grade so many kids skip it since they don’t mind taking the hit.

You know what result is? Kids are struggling to pass tests and they’re unprepared for college, where homework is expected of them. You live in fantasyland.

Exactly this. They aren't prepared especially in math and reading comprehension as there is no practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The studies have shown that early bed times don't help, they actually need to start later. And the homework being so onerous sounds like the real problem here, would love to hear why it's even necessary in this day and age.

They have taken homework away. It’s only 10% of the grade so many kids skip it since they don’t mind taking the hit.

You know what result is? Kids are struggling to pass tests and they’re unprepared for college, where homework is expected of them. You live in fantasyland.

Based on what evidence are they less prepared for college? Homework isn't required/expected in most college classes; it's way more about exams and papers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The studies have shown that early bed times don't help, they actually need to start later. And the homework being so onerous sounds like the real problem here, would love to hear why it's even necessary in this day and age.

They have taken homework away. It’s only 10% of the grade so many kids skip it since they don’t mind taking the hit.

You know what result is? Kids are struggling to pass tests and they’re unprepared for college, where homework is expected of them. You live in fantasyland.

Based on what evidence are they less prepared for college? Homework isn't required/expected in most college classes; it's way more about exams and papers.

Practice should be done in the classroom where there's a teacher and peers to help answer questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The studies have shown that early bed times don't help, they actually need to start later. And the homework being so onerous sounds like the real problem here, would love to hear why it's even necessary in this day and age.

They have taken homework away. It’s only 10% of the grade so many kids skip it since they don’t mind taking the hit.

You know what result is? Kids are struggling to pass tests and they’re unprepared for college, where homework is expected of them. You live in fantasyland.

Exactly this. They aren't prepared especially in math and reading comprehension as there is no practice.

Read the studies, sleeping in later is objectively better for students, parents, and outcomes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The studies have shown that early bed times don't help, they actually need to start later. And the homework being so onerous sounds like the real problem here, would love to hear why it's even necessary in this day and age.

Sounds like lazy parenting making excuses. Yes, they can go to bed earlier. Kids have very little homework in HS compared to when we were in school.

Read the studies, sleeping in later is objectively better for students, parents, and outcomes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious what the general consensus is on the MCPS school hours?

Elementary: 9:25AM - 3:45PM
Middle: 9:00AM - 3:00PM
HS: 7:45AM - 2:30PM

Elementary starting after most jobs' normal working hours seems... odd but them getting out relatively late so parents can get home from work soon after is better.

I get that HS and MS to a lesser extent get out earlier and start earlier to make room for after school sports/activities + homework. But what exactly is the problem with having later practices? Second, homework is not an effective way to learn and practice should be done in classroom, not out of it. Lastly, several recent studies about start times is the later the better for students' (especially teenagers) sleep, attentiveness, health, and learning outcomes.

I'm short, what in the world is the reasoning here and why haven't MCPS updated with the times? Are there vested interests (teachers, admins, parents(!?)) against it?

Middle starts at 8. Would be nice for 9 bc advisory is absolutely pointless.