Common Core 7th Grade ELA Question of the Day

Across the country, districts that moved the first bell to 8:30 a.m. report measurable gains. In Minneapolis, average grades rose slightly after the change, but the bigger shift was in attendance: tardiness dropped by 35 percent in the first semester. Pediatricians explain that adolescents' internal clocks shift during puberty, making early mornings biologically unfriendly. A 2019 study of 9,000 students found that those who slept eight or more hours were less likely to experience depression and reported higher focus in class. While some families worry about after-school sports, one district adjusted practice times and noted no decrease in participation. Buses cost money, but so does lost learning: the state spends millions remediating students who fall behind. Starting later, the article argues, is not a luxury—it's a practical step toward healthier, more alert teens.

Student Draft: The author claims that later start times help students' health and learning, and backs it up with strong evidence. For example, [insert evidence from the passage here].