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KYLA WAHLSTROM |
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Accommodating The Sleep Patterns Of
Adolescents Within Current Educational
Structures: An Uncharted Path
KYLA L. WAHLSTROM, Ph.D.  ith the research information about the sleep
patterns of adolescents as a given and as an
important part of the equation, information
has been gathered from seventeen school
districts about the issues and impact of a
potential change in the starting time for high
schools in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. This
report summarizes major findings of that study
and places the issue of sleep patterns of
adolescents squarely within the context of
schooling. The perspectives of key stakeholder
groups, including students, teachers, parents,
school administrators, and community members,
were sought. They responded to concerns in the
areas of transportation, athletics/activities,
community education, food service, human
resources/contractual agreements, elementary
school start time, and crime statistics. Also
included in the report is a brief case study
of one local school district that has recently
changed to a later start time for their high
school.
In summary, the dynamics of orchestrating
school change are significant and cannot be
overestimated. The design of the study did not
intend to produce specific recommendations as
to "the best" starting time for any grade
level. Rather, the report is a comprehensive
view of the multiple factors present within
the broader issue of adolescent sleep needs
and provides data for realistic and
substantive discussion.
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