Give students a say in start time debate

Give students a say in start time debate

After reading “School schedules and student learning” on Friday, Sept. 20, I agree that there needs to be more discussion about start times for high school students, based on scientific research.

You mention the people who should be involved in the discussion, but there is one group missing; high school students themselves. When you say this should not be a “top down” decision, it seems to me that going from the bottom up, so to speak, would, by necessity, involve the very individuals around whom the decisions center; the students themselves.

High school students are a valuable resource to bring to the table, since they can explain to the adults how such early start times affect their learning process. In other words, hear firsthand how they travel to the beat of their own circadian rhythms.

Jane Charmelo

Lombard