Exhausted Teens

A couple weeks ago I had a big unit test in my physics class. When we got the scores back, there was a major difference between 1^st and 2^nd period scores compared to later periods. The early periods averaged C’s and D’s while the later periods averaged A’s and B’s. This all points to a study conducted by Dr. Mary A. Carskadon, which researched the sleep patterns of teens and effects of early school start times.

Dr. Carskadon did an experiment with multiple teens who were converting from junior high to high school, which had an earlier start time. None of the students changed their sleeping habits regarding the new start time. The average amount of sleep they all got was 6 to 7 hours a night. The recommendation is 9 hours a night, so none of the students were getting enough sleep. If the students were to be able to get the appropriate amount of sleep, they would have had to go to bed at 9. Most teenagers are not able to do that due to hectic schedules with jobs, after school activities, school work, sports and family obligations. This research helped prove that school start times are too early and is bad for the health and well-being of teens.

There are many factors that make it harder for schools to start earlier. Many moms say it would be too hard to fit in homework, chores, and other family obligations after school. If the school starts later, the school hours still have to stay the same so it will end later. This leaves less time after school for after school activities, sports, and jobs. Also many families cannot accommodate to early start times with transportation or supervision of children while they are at work.

Many schools around the country are trying to change start times so students are more awake when in class. There is a bill, created by National Sleep Foundation (NSF), to introduce legislation that addresses the relationship between school start times and adolescent health and well-being.  

So there are many reasons, pertaining to health and well-being, for schools to start later. But there are also many reasons and complications that show they shouldn’t. what do you guys think?

https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-news/backgrounder-later-school-start-times