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. Firstly, Snyder presents convincing evidence that early school start times are detrimental to …show more content…
She cites a study that found that students who start school later have higher grades and test scores than those who start earlier. Additionally, students who get more sleep are more likely to be engaged in class and retain information better. By allowing students to get the sleep they need, schools can help them perform better academically and set them up for success in the future. Thirdly, Snyder provides examples of schools that have successfully implemented later start times and seen positive results. For example, a school in Minnesota pushed back its start time from 7:15am to 8:40 am and saw improvements in attendance, academic performance, and student well-being. Similarly, a school in Virginia pushed back its start time from 7:20 am to 8:45am and saw a decrease in student tardiness and an increase in academic achievement. These examples demonstrate that later start times can be successful and beneficial for both students and schools. However, some may argue that early start times prepare students for the "real world" and that they need to learn how to function on limited sleep. While this may be true to some extent, Snyder points out that the negative effects of sleep deprivation far outweigh any potential benefits of early start times. Additionally, she argues that schools should prioritize the health and well-being of their students above all