Why schools should start later

It is also simply harder to get people and systems to change; especially when people are used to things working one way. But these naysayers might also want to think again, especially if they are budget-conscious. Test scores and measureable results are such an important component of gauging education, we have to discuss the impact on academic performance.

Studies have proven that when students get more sleep, their test scores actually go up. Even better, the lowest performing students made the biggest progress in their learning development when they had adequate sleep.

Even the Center for Disease Control CDC put out a statement saying directly that middle school students start school too early. They state definitively that no school should start earlier than to give students a chance to learn at their maximum capabilities.

Now that we know the benefits of starting school later, what can we do to help our kids get more sleep? Minus Related Pages. Adolescents and Sleep The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Cdc-pdf External pdf icon external icon recommends that teenagers aged 13 to 18 years should regularly sleep 8 to 10 hours per day for good health.

Adolescents who do not get enough sleep are more likely to Be overweight. Not engage in daily physical activity. Suffer from symptoms of depression. Engage in unhealthy risk behaviors such as drinking, smoking tobacco, and using illicit drugs.

Perform poorly in school. Getting enough sleep can improve academic performance. Everyone Can Play an Important Role Parents Model and encourage habits that help promote good sleep: Set a regular bedtime and rise time, including on weekends.

This is recommended for everyone— children, adolescents, and adults alike. Adolescents with parent-set bedtimes usually get more sleep than those whose parents do not set bedtimes. J Clin Sleep Med. The American Psychological Association. Danner F, Phillips B. Adolescent sleep, school start times, and teen motor vehicle crashes. Learn more about School and Sleep. There's no better time to start the journey to improving your sleep. Get helpful tips, expert information, videos, and more delivered to your inbox.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website.

These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Necessary Necessary. Non Necessary non-necessary. The Sleep Foundation fact-checking guidelines are as follows: We only cite reputable sources when researching our guides and articles. These include peer-reviewed journals, government reports, academic and medical associations, and interviews with credentialed medical experts and practitioners.

All scientific data and information must be backed up by at least one reputable source. Each guide and article includes a comprehensive bibliography with full citations and links to the original sources Some guides and articles feature links to other relevant Sleep Foundation pages. These internal links are intended to improve ease of navigation across the site, and are never used as original sources for scientific data or information. A member of our medical expert team provides a final review of the content and sources cited for every guide, article, and product review concerning medical- and health-related topics.

Thanks to this change Andrew starts the school day rested and ready to learn, but millions of U. As adolescent brains develop, sleep patterns change. Sleep researchers call it the development of an evening-type circadian phase preference. The rest of us call it becoming a night owl. Regardless of the terminology, the result is the same: teenagers stay up late. They do not fall asleep sooner if school starts earlier. Instead, they get sleep-deprived. Recent research, including research supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation , makes a strong case for helping young people get more sleep by starting school later.

That one change may contribute to healthier teenage years and help build a foundation for a lifetime of improved health outcomes. Sleep patterns affect a sweeping range of physical and mental health conditions. Studies now show clear links between insufficient sleep and obesity, diabetes, depression, suicidal thoughts, and more.