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Essay On Later School Start Times

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Academic success is infinitely more challenging for sleep deprived teenagers. Dr. M. Safwan Badr, past president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, disagreed with early start times by stating, “It makes no sense. You’re asking kids to learn math at a time their brains are not even awake” (Liz). Certain abilities, such as memory, organizational and thinking skills, are impaired with a lack of sleep. Later school start times are not only advantageous to students, later start times are also very beneficial to schools. A study of 9,000 students in eight Minnesota public high schools showed that after Minnesota pushed back their school start times by thirty minutes, grade point averages and standardized test scores improved (Brody). School attendance also increased with later start times (Boergers). Despite the benefits of having later start times for schools, many schools are resisting the change. Even though the AAP recommends a later start time for schools, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that only 14% of all middle schools and high schools follow the 8:30 a.m. …show more content…

Schools that are resistant to delaying the start of school for high school and middle school are not looking at the big picture and are being short-sighted. The costs, both logistically and financially, are small in comparison to the short- and long-term benefits for not just teenagers but also their communities. When students have an increased chance of learning and achieving, they will have more to offer to their communities once they graduate. Some states are taking actions to help alleviate the financial burden put upon schools when the schools change to a later start time. Legislation has been proposed in several states to give grant money to schools that are willing to switch to later start times for their students

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The general argument that Nancy Kalish creates in her article, “The Early Bird Gets the Bad Grade” focuses on why students would benefit from a delayed start school. The article lists several ways different school districts have already taken advantage of late start. The author writes, “In 2002, high schools in Jessamine County in Kentucky pushed back the first bell to 8:40 am, from 7:30 am. Attendance immediately went up, as did scores on standardized tests, which have continued to rise each year”(5). The author uses this quote in order to provide examples of school systems who have already benefited off of delayed start times.

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In her article “Let Kids Sleep Later,” Terra Snyder argues that schools should push back start times to allow for more sleep for students. Snyder cites research that shows that adolescents need 8-10 hours of sleep per night, but many are not getting enough due to early school start times. She also provides examples of schools that have successfully pushed back start times and seen improvements in attendance, academic performance, and overall student health. While some may argue that early start times prepare students for the "real world," Snyder makes a compelling case for why the benefits of later start times outweigh the potential drawbacks.

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On these days, the extra hour helps me to trudge through the school day and the long hours of activities I have afterward with some energy left to spare. If one hour keeps me energized throughout the day, then imagine an extra hour on school mornings everyday. For this reason, implementing a later start and end time in high schools across the country will not only benefit students mentally but also

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“...Teens to show up to class before 8 a.m. start time beginning is not good for their health or their report cards.” This was once stated by scientists. Many schools in Seattle believe that later start times in schools will lead to better grades on report cards. Associated Press has written an article called “More zzz’s can lead to more A’s: Seattle schools move start time for teens” to inform people about what is going on in Seattle about the later start times in schools.

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These problems can be fixed though, the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvements at University of Minnesota claims.(Kalish 1-2) In conclusion, lack of sleep can affect scores in school and tend to raise dropout rates. Putting a later starting time can improve student academic scores and lower dropout rates. Even though scheduling may be tough, Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvements claims it’s quite possible.

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“Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together,” (Thomas Dekker), but with most middle and high schools starting before 8:00 am, students aren’t getting the recommended hours of sleep they need to do well in school. School start times should be later for middle and high schoolers for the protection of students’ academic scores, the reduced risk of traffic accidents, and for the protection of student health, although people may argue that parent work schedules may have to change and that the bus schedule change may or will be costly. Middle and high schools should start later for the positive impacts they would have on students and their families. First of all, the start times of middle and high schools should be later for the protection of students’ academic scores. Students who don’t get enough sleep get lower academic and standardized test scores.

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The American Academy of Sleep Medicine asserts that early school days lead to accidents along the roads, depression among the young teenagers, and upsurge in poor performance academically for middle and high school students. Teens struggle through the challenge of waking up very early in the morning so that they can be at school at the right time. Research implies that teens should get at least eight to nine hours of night sleep for their good health. Various sponsors such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control have the strong advice on why schools should start later. Nevertheless, by being able to sleep more before school starts, students will be able to become well rested, more attentive in classroom settings, and perform better as learners.

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Without a good attendance record, no amount of intelligence will compensate for missed time in the classroom. Attendance rates improved dramatically in the schools that have implemented later start times. “... attendance rates for all students in grades 9, 10, and 11 improved in the years from 1995 to 2000, with the greatest rate of improvement for grade 9 students.” (Wahlstrom, Kyla. " Later High-School Start Times Still Working."

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" Sleep is very critical and should definitely be taken seriously when making decisions about students and education. In my argument I will use this source to back me up on every reason of why school start times should be later. This article will help me in supporting the needs of sleep because of health and also because more sleep would promote better academics as a teenager. The article had a lot of credible sources to support the ethos appeal; it gave credit to all the doctors and also the students. The consistency of the argument of why school start times should be later is a very strong logos appeal.

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Start Times and Depression”). Because of the lack of sleep students face, it poses serious problems for them the next day inside and outside of the classroom. Countless schools across America start earlier than the recommended

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This is an important issue because starting schools later has many positive effects. Some positive effects of starting school later is improvements in grades, test scores, and overall performance in core subjects. Another positive effect of starting schools later is that students will be more attentive, have a better memory, a better mood, and a better behavior and executive function. A third positive effect of starting school later is that it gives students the extra sleep they need to perform at the body’s peak ability in academics and physical

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It’s known that many teenagers die from car accidents every year. Pushing the start of school to a later time helps improve the safety of students by decreasing the rate of car accidents. Results of a study on a school district in Fayette County, Kentucky, show a decrease in car accidents for 16-18 year-olds, while there was an increase of car accidents for 17-18 year-olds in the rest of Kentucky. A later school time can help prevent accidents form many reasons. Later in the mornings, students are more alert and efficient, and it’s usually lighter outside.

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781 Words | 4 Pages

These things will improve one’s health. In addition to improving one’s health, it is also better for one’s concentration. The average student needs about ten hours of sleep; however, most students, especially teens, only get around seven hours of sleep. If school started later students would be able to sleep in and therefore get more sleep which would increase their concentration in class.

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842 Words | 4 Pages

Many people argue whether school start times should stay the same or become later in the day. Most students already don't get enough sleep during the night and that can affect their learning experience in school (Wahlstrom). However some positive effects can still come from waking up early in the morning and getting to school around the same time. Although good can come from waking up early in the morning and sleeping in, students still need later school starting times to improve their overall health.

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947 Words | 4 Pages

However, there is a solution that would solve the problem and not have substantial additional costs. Generally, the teenage brain is not fully awake and engaged until between 9 and 10:00 am. A younger child (elementary age) is able to be awake and alert much earlier due to different chemicals and sleep schedules programed into our brains (Macmillan). If elementary school starting times and high school starting times switched, it would benefit high schoolers and not greatly impact elementary school kids. This would resolve the transportation conflict mentioned by those opposing a later start time.

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