Schools Should Start Later In The Day Essay

In my opinion, schools should start later than the average 8 am. Studies have proven that students learn better later in the day because they are more awake and their brains function more properly. There is evidence that students are very sleep deprived. In this paper, I will show you some opinions and facts on why schools should start later in the day. A poll ran by the National Sleep Foundation found that 60% of students under the age of 18 feel tired throughout the day. 15% of children say that they fall asleep throughout the day during school (A). In more than 40 states, at least 75% of schools start earlier than 8:30 a.m. While later start times won’t replace other important interventions, like parents making sure their children get enough
This information found that starting the school day later in the morning resulted in a boost in attendance, test scores, and grades in math, English, science, and social studies. This research also found a decrease in tardiness, substance abuse, and symptoms of depression. Some even had a drop in teen car crashes (C). Most middle school and high school students need at least 9 hours of sleep a night. More than 80% of schools require students to attend classes at start times that are earlier than recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and American Medical Association (D). Not enough sleep in teens is said to be associated with obesity, migraines, and immune system disruption. Insufficient sleep also causes health risk behaviors including smoking, drinking, stimulant abuse, physical fighting, physical inactivity, depression, and suicidal tendencies (D). Adolescents’ circadian rhythms, these control a human’s responses to stimuli and determine sleep patterns, operate differently than those of other age groups. It’s usually more difficult for them to fall asleep earlier in the evening than it is for other ages. While teenagers are going to bed later, their school start times are often becoming earlier as they advance through middle and high school