School Day Should Start Later
October 24, 2017
Teens across America experience sleep deprivation. Recent studies show teenagers learn better later in the day, therefore the school board needs to make school times later.
Classes begin at 7:25 a.m. in the Mansfield high schools and most buses pick up students from their bus stop around or before 6 a.m. This means students wake up at about 5 a.m. School ends at 2:55 p.m. Moving the start time back, even by an hour, would place students’ instruction time in the prime hours for learning and allow more sleep for students.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, teens need a minimum of nine and a quarter hours of sleep each night to function at their best. Studies also show that only 15 percent of teens reported sleeping eight and a half hours on school nights, however, most students go to sleep about 11 p.m. Giving students an extra hour of sleep in the morning would increase a teenager’s total sleep hours.
“Studies have shown that delaying early school start times is one key factor that can help adolescents get the sleep they need to grow and learn.” – See more at: www.aap.org
As a result of the loss of sleep, studies also showed students may experience: memory and cognitive impairment, inability to pay attention, shortened mental sharpness, uncreative problem solving, overall mood and motivation, and the potential of accumulating more pimples. According to the National Sleep Foundation and WebMD, these effects could lead to other disorderly consequences like narcolepsy, insomnia, restless legs syndrome or sleep apnea. Lack of alertness could lead to accidents and affect plans later in the day. Also, students need sleep in order to succeed in the classroom. If they suffer from sleep deprivation, paying attention and showing effort becomes more difficult. An hour extra of sleep per night multiplied by 20 days a month results in a significant sleep increase therefore resulting in better mental concentration on school work.
Not only is more sleep required, the study shows a teenager’s body functions better later in the day. On the current schedule, MISD students fight a natural biological force. Melatonin releases later in the day for teens causing students to be awake in the evening. Even if a student gets 10 hours of sleep, students will be naturally sleepy in early the hours because of their biological clock. Adjusting the school start time benefits a student’s natural learning habits.
A school district in Minnesota moved start times from 7:25 a.m. to 8:30 and saw increased attendance, more alertness, less depression and better grades overall.
In addition to homework, some teens also have jobs. Students, however, could utilize their time before school, instead of working late into the night, to finish up assignments if school started later. This would prepare students more thoroughly for the day, because they would be able to complete homework and therefore, be less tired. Better preparation and sleep may increase alertness, attentiveness and concentration. Gradually, grades would improve, while also boosting the school’s time investment in their students.
If school times remain the same, students will continue to feel tired and drained throughout the day. Early start times and lack of sleep can cause grades to fall.
Bus schedules are one reason for earlier school start times. Moving the start time in all schools in MISD would not affect the daily bus schedule.
Therefore, grades would improve and effective student learning and improve teen’s lives if the start time was pushed back. The school board should change school starting times for later in the morning.
Please visit The Ultimate Guide to Teen Sleep for more information.
Kyle Fontaine • Mar 2, 2017 at 10:37 am
I thoroughly enjoyed this article. I completely agree with the idea that school should start later because many students have hours of homework, and many also have to work or play a sport, meaning there are students not getting to bed until 11:00 or later. Giving students that extra hour or two of sleep would be beneficial for everyone, including teachers as well. The teachers would get an extra hour or two of sleep, giving them more energy to teach and keeping them awake throughout the day.
Brooke • Apr 5, 2016 at 4:11 pm
I think it’s a great idea, sometimes me and many of my classmates fall asleep in class not only to the amount of homework we get, but also because of sleep deprivation, plus I would have time to get up and have breakfast more often rather than rushing every morning to get to school on time.
lauron • Jan 9, 2015 at 8:53 am
I definitely believe school should start later. I am late to school at least 3 times a week because i can never get up on time.
Savannah • Jan 9, 2015 at 8:45 am
I think that Mansfield schools should push be pushed back an hour or two. Establishing an earlier time would be beneficial to both students & staff. I think that students would not be as stressed out if MISD eliminated the factor of worrying about getting to school on time, along with other school tests & homework.
Ariel • Jan 8, 2015 at 8:57 am
This story is really good! It made me think about setting a good bed time and wake up time for myself. It made me want to get more sleep. The reasons why school should start later really makes you think and question if we come to school too early. It makes you think so it’s really good keep it up!