Table of Contents
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a later school start time?
Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during their natural sleep/wake cycles. Less caffeine: Teens may be less likely to depend on caffeine to stay awake during the day. Better grades: Adequate sleep could help teens be more alert during the school day, which could boost their academic performance.
What would happen if school started later?
Students with later school start times are more likely to have improved physical health and weight control, decreasing their likelihood of developing diabetes, obesity, or high blood pressure. By sleeping adequately, students’ bodies have enough time to repair and heal at night.
Why are parents afraid of later school start times?
Not surprisingly, parents were more likely to oppose a later start time if they believed it would cause problems. They worried, for instance, that it would interfere with kids’ after-school activities, or be difficult to manage with their own work schedule.
Is it better for schools to start later?
California became the first state in the nation to require later start times at most schools. A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics found that delayed school start times align more closely with the sleep-wake cycle of teenagers, leading to better overall health and school performance.
Why do teens stay up late?
hormonal time shift – puberty hormones shift the teenager’s body clock forward by about one or two hours, making them sleepier one to two hours later. Yet, while the teenager falls asleep later, early school starts don’t allow them to sleep in. This nightly ‘sleep debt’ leads to chronic sleep deprivation.
Should schools start at 10am?
Dr Nagel suggested a later start — maybe even at a time as civilised as 10:30am — would ensure teens would be able to get the most out of their sleep. “Most of the science suggests for teenagers, they need nine to 10 hours sleep per night, and they are not getting it,” Dr Nagel said.
Why is it bad to start school later in the day?
Countless studies have shown that early school start times are associated with students getting less sleep, which negatively affects student academic performance. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades. They may also experience irritability and fatigue.
How does school starting later affect parents?
Most parents in late start high schools reported fewer behavioral concerns and an improved attitude toward school. There were other parents who suggested that the changes had little impact. They simply adjusted their schedules to provide ample time for sleep and morning preparation.