ARLINGTON -- Some parents in the Arlington ISD say beginning the day at 7:35 a.m. in the district's high schools is leaving their kids sleep deprived and endangering their academic performance.
A petition posted on Change.org says teens in the district are "chronically sleep deprived" and high school with later start times "show improved student grades, better attendance, lower dropout rates, fewer tardies, and less depression."
The more than 200 people who have signed the petition want the high school day to begin at 8 a.m.
However, adjusting the start time would mean the district would have many changes to make, from transportation arrangements to class schedules.
Most Dallas high schools begin at 9 a.m. and many younger kids start at 8:15 a.m. Most North Texas districts have start times of 8 a.m. or later.
The Mansfield ISD is an exception, with a high school start time of 7:25 a.m. as part of an eight-period schedule.
