Parents are urging the Alameda Unified School District to consider late school start times for middle and high school students, reports Contra Costa Times.

Sleepy teens may soon get the rest they need if the Alameda Unified School District turns back the start time for middle and high school classes.

Parents Karie Frasch and Anne Rogers brought the issue before the school board Tuesday night along with data to back up their argument that early school times can harm students’ academic performance and well-being.

District high schools now start at 8 a.m. with an optional “zero period” for special classes beginning at 7 a.m. Middle schools begin their school day at 8:15 a.m.

More than 500 people have signed a petition on the website Change.org asking that middle and high school start times be moved back to 8:30 a.m. with a recommendation that the high schools start at 9 a.m.

Get the full story at www.contracostatimes.com