By: Alex Thompson
In countless American households, mornings are often fraught with chaos. Families juggle packing lunches, locating shoes, and navigating the general grumpiness that accompanies early rising. Thankfully, my children don’t need to be at school until 9 a.m., which means our morning frenzy is less about the early school start and more about their natural sluggishness.
However, this is not the case for many students across the nation. For instance, my nieces attend an elementary school that begins at 7:45 a.m., a time echoed by numerous middle and high schools nationwide, most of which commence classes before 8 a.m. Consequently, many students leave their homes before 7 a.m., literally waking up before dawn—a reality that is particularly detrimental for adolescents.
Research has long shown that early school start times are not just a minor inconvenience; they pose significant health risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics asserts that teenagers require between 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Unfortunately, their biological clocks operate differently than those of younger children and adults, making it challenging for them to fall asleep early. As a result, older kids find themselves in a constant state of fatigue, as they are forced to wake up too early for their developmental needs.
This chronic tiredness negatively impacts their academic performance, as various studies have indicated that later start times correlate with improved attendance, higher test scores, and better overall grades. Schools that have adjusted their start times later have also seen reductions in tardiness, substance abuse, and depression symptoms. Some even reported fewer car accidents among teenagers.
Sleep experts and health officials have advocated for later school start times for years. The American Academy of Pediatrics made a significant push in 2014, followed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2015, both urging policymakers to delay start times for middle and high school students to ensure adequate sleep for their physical and educational development. This call for change has gained traction, with the American Medical Association recently endorsing the need for later school schedules.
In April, a conference organized by Start School Later brought together leading sleep experts, educators, and health professionals to discuss the importance of prioritizing sleep for students. Participants emphasized the necessity of advocating for this change at both the district and state levels, underscoring that parents must vocalize their concerns and that school districts should heed these calls.
Admittedly, instituting change can be challenging, especially with those resistant to altering the status quo. However, just because adults often find themselves fatigued does not mean our children should endure the same fate. There is always room for improvement as our understanding of adolescent health evolves.
Encouragingly, some districts are beginning to recognize the adverse effects of early start times and are making necessary adjustments. For example, a local school district in suburban Chicago recently approved a pilot program to shift the school day to 8:15 a.m. to 3:10 p.m., starting in the 2017-18 academic year. This adjustment was made by slightly shortening class periods and lunch breaks.
While change can be difficult, it is not impossible. If we prioritize our children’s physical, emotional, and educational well-being, we must advocate for later start times in our schools. Kudos to those districts already making this change, and let’s hope that with continued pressure from parents, medical professionals, and advocates, more schools will follow suit.
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In summary, the overwhelming evidence supports a shift in school start times to better accommodate the sleep needs of adolescents. By advocating for these changes, we can foster healthier, more productive environments for our children.
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