Question

read this excerpt from a passage about later start times at schools.

across the country, school board members and school officials have opposed a time change, despite the research findings. some argue that a later start time would affect the schedules of elementary and middle schools in their district. others say organizing bus routes would be too challenging. still others say that sports programs and extracurricular activities would be disrupted. many parents are also opposed to a later start time, saying it would result in a later end to the school day, and thus reduce family time and job opportunities.

what conclusion can be made about school board members and school officials?

they feel pressure from parents and students who want to change the school start times.
they feel the benefits do not outweigh the challenges of changing to a later start time.
they believe they need more time to decide whether late starts are a good idea.
they believe that more research is needed before start times can change.

Explanation:

Analyze the question prompt

The question asks what conclusion can be made about school board members and school officials based on the provided excerpt.

Examine the passage evidence

The passage states: "Across the country, school board members and school officials have opposed a time change, despite the research findings." It then lists several challenges:

• Affecting schedules of elementary and middle schools.
• Organizing bus routes would be too challenging.
• Disrupting sports programs and extracurricular activities.
• Reducing family time and job opportunities due to a later end to the school day.

These points represent the challenges and disruptions that lead to opposition.

Evaluate the answer choices

• Choice 1: "They feel pressure from parents and students..." The text mentions parents are also opposed, but does not state that officials feel pressured by those wanting change.
• Choice 2: "They feel the benefits do not outweigh the challenges..." Since they oppose the change "despite the research findings" (which presumably show benefits) due to various logistical challenges, this is a highly logical conclusion.
• Choice 3: "They believe they need more time to decide..." The text states they have already "opposed" the change, not that they are undecided.
• Choice 4: "They believe that more research is needed..." The text says they oppose it "despite the research findings," indicating they are ignoring existing research rather than asking for more.

Apply mastered reading skills

Using Reading Comprehension and identifying Supporting Details, we synthesize that the opposition from school officials is based on the practical challenges listed, meaning they prioritize these challenges over the researched benefits.

Answer:

• They feel pressure from parents and students who want to change the school start times.
• They feel the benefits do not outweigh the challenges of changing to a later start time. (Correct answer)
• They believe they need more time to decide whether late starts are a good idea.
• They believe that more research is needed before start times can change.