I recently returned to school after being sick for just two days, and I was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tests and assignments that awaited me. The addition of mandatory reading programs, on top of the existing math programs like Mathspace, has left me with no time to catch up or focus on critical assignments for my Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Like many students, I need AP to concentrate and prepare for the rigorous coursework, but I find myself unable to meet the program's requirements, not to mention completing my homework at home due to these additional tasks.

Chandler Unified School District's (CUSD) decision to implement a new reading programs (Waggle, Read 180) that takes up an hour each week is leaving students stretched thin. When you factor in the 30 minutes already dedicated to Mathspace or the required work on aleks, our schedule becomes unmanageable. The problem isn't entirely the programs themselves, but the logistics and time required to effectively engage with them during AP classes. Each AP starts with announcements, the pledge, and delays due to Chromebook boot-up times, which can collectively take away up to 15 minutes of our crucial learning period. This leaves no feasible time for us to actually engage with these programs effectively within the school hours.

For many of us, this compression of time is forcing additional workloads back into our homes. Students, already burdened with hours of homework, now must find more time in our already busy evenings and weekends to complete these program requirements. This is not just about time management but also about mental well-being and the quality of education we are receiving.

I am not alone in facing these challenges. The cumulative stress of constant testing, program engagement, and homework is already taking a toll on many students' academic performance and mental health. It is crucial that we find a balance that allows students to be productive and inspired, not overwhelmed and discouraged.

We propose that CUSD re-evaluate and revert these recent changes quickly. By potentially reducing the time requirement for these programs, we can make a significant difference. Teaching should be about quality over quantity, and students should have the flexibility to focus on their core subjects without feeling overburdened.

Join us in urging CUSD to reconsider and adjust the current educational programs and schedules to better serve the students’ needs. Sign this petition to demand a change that will create an educational environment where we can all thrive without compromising our academic and personal well-being.