CDC Says Kids Start Their School Day Too Early

What does the CDC say?

• Students should eat healthier food

• Schools should start earlier in the morning

• School days should be longer

• Schools should start later in the morning

• Students should sleep in class

Answer explanation

The CDC recommends that schools should start later in the morning to align with students' natural sleep patterns, which can improve their health and academic performance.

What health issue is linked to early school start times?

• Poor vision

• Lack of physical activity

• Not enough sleep

• Hearing loss

• Unhealthy eating

Answer explanation

Early school start times can lead to insufficient sleep for students, as they often struggle to wake up early enough. This lack of sleep can negatively impact their health, making 'Not enough sleep' the correct answer.

What time do fewer than 20% of U.S. schools start at or after?

• 7:00 a.m.

• 7:30 a.m.

• 8:00 a.m.

• 8:30 a.m.

• 9:00 a.m.

Answer explanation

Fewer than 20% of U.S. schools start at or after 8:30 a.m., indicating that this time is less common for school start times compared to earlier options like 7:00 a.m., 7:30 a.m., and 8:00 a.m.

What time did the Fairfax, Virginia schools used to start?

• 6:50 a.m.

• 7:20 a.m.

• 8:00 a.m.

• 8:30 a.m.

• 9:00 a.m.

Answer explanation

Fairfax, Virginia schools used to start at 7:20 a.m., which is the correct answer among the options provided.

What is one major difficulty in changing school start times?

• Students don’t want to sleep more

• Parents are against it

• Schools would lose teachers

• It's too cold in the morning

• It costs a lot of money

Answer explanation

One major difficulty in changing school start times is the financial impact. Adjusting schedules can lead to increased transportation costs, staffing changes, and other expenses, making it a significant barrier for schools.

What happens to teenagers' circadian rhythms during puberty?

• They sleep more during the day

• They fall asleep earlier

• They need less sleep

• They are better suited to wake up later

• Their rhythm does not change

Answer explanation

During puberty, teenagers experience a shift in their circadian rhythms, making them better suited to wake up later. This change is due to hormonal influences that affect sleep patterns, leading to a preference for later sleep and wake times.

How much extra sleep would later school times give students?

• 10 minutes

• 30 minutes

• 1 hour

• 2 hours

• No difference

Answer explanation

Later school times can provide students with an extra hour of sleep, which is crucial for their health and academic performance. This adjustment helps align their sleep schedules with their natural circadian rhythms.

Which of these was not mentioned as a reason schools resist changing start times?

• After-school jobs

• Sports schedules

• Transport/bus schedules

• Students refusing to attend

• Family routines

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Students refusing to attend' because it was not listed as a reason for schools resisting changes to start times, unlike the other options which were mentioned.

What time do Fairfax schools now finish?

• 2:30 p.m.

• 2:45 p.m.

• 2:55 p.m.

• 3:30 p.m.

• 4:00 p.m.

Answer explanation

Fairfax schools now finish at 2:55 p.m., which is the correct answer among the options provided. This time reflects the updated schedule for the school district.

How does the mother (Laura Meanwell) feel about early school mornings?

• She loves waking up early

• She says the children are full of energy

• She enjoys quiet mornings

• She feels exhausted by midweek

• She thinks early mornings are good for learning

Answer explanation

Laura Meanwell feels exhausted by midweek, indicating that early school mornings take a toll on her energy levels as the week progresses.