Why School Should Start Later: The Benefits of Adequate Sleep
Are you feeling groggy in the morning, struggling to stay awake in class, and experiencing difficulty concentrating? You’re not alone. Many students and teachers are impacted by the negative effects of early school start times. However, research shows that delaying school start times could significantly improve academic performance and overall well-being. In this article, we’ll explore several reasons why school should start later.
Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Academic Performance
Explanation of Sleep Deprivation: Sleep deprivation occurs when an individual does not get adequate hours of sleep each night, usually recommended at least eight hours. In the context of school, early start times can often force students to wake up much earlier than they would like, leading to sleep deprivation.
Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Academic Performance: Research shows that sleep-deprived students have lower academic performance than their peers who get adequate sleep. They experience difficulty concentrating, remembering information, and staying alert. Sleep deprivation can also have negative impacts on mood and behavior, making it harder for students to be engaged in their learning.
Evidence Supporting the Relationship between Sleep and Academic Performance: Multiple studies have found that sleep deprivation is linked to poorer academic performance in both middle and high school students. One study published in the Journal of School Health found that students who slept less than seven hours per night had significantly lower grade point averages than those who slept at least eight hours per night. Another study found that delaying school start times by one hour resulted in an average increase of two points on reading and math test scores.
How Starting School Later Could Improve Sleep and Academic Performance: By delaying start times, students would have more time to get the recommended amount of sleep each night, improving their ability to concentrate and engage with their learning. A later start time would also mean students would be waking up at a time closer to their natural circadian rhythm, which we’ll discuss in more detail later.
Effects of Early School Start Times on Mental and Emotional Health
Overview of the Impact on Mental and Emotional Health: In addition to affecting academic performance, early school start times can also have negative effects on students’ mental and emotional well-being. Students who are sleep deprived can experience anxiety, depression, and stress, all of which can further impact their ability to learn and function in the classroom.
Personal Anecdotes from Students and Teachers: Many students and teachers have noticed the negative impact of early school start times on their mental and emotional health. Several students have shared that they feel stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed when starting school early in the morning. One teacher reported that her students seemed more relaxed, engaged, and enthusiastic about learning when they had a later start time.
How a Delayed Start Time Could Reduce Stress Levels and Benefit Well-Being: Starting school later could help reduce stress and anxiety levels in students, allowing them to be more calm and focused in the classroom. Increased well-being and positive attitude can lead to better academic achievement.
Global Trend of Later Start Times Improving Academic Success
Comparison of Start Times in Different Countries: Some countries around the world have already implemented later start times in schools. In Japan, for example, most schools start around 8:30 or 9:00 am, while schools in the United States often start much earlier. Finland and Denmark have also shifted to later start times with positive results.
Evidence that Later Start Times Lead to Improved Academic Success: Countries that have adopted later start times have seen improvements in academic success. In Japan, students who went to schools with later start times scored higher on entrance exams and were more likely to pass them. Schools in the United States have seen improved test scores, attendance rates, and graduation rates when start times were delayed.
Benefits of Following a Global Trend: Following the global trend of later start times would not only improve academic success within the country but would also align the schedule with the global community, especially with countries such as Japan, which has a strong and successful educational system.
Circadian Rhythms and the Impact on Students’ Sleep Patterns
Explanation of Circadian Rhythms: Circadian rhythms refer to the natural biological processes that regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle and other physiological functions. These rhythms are aligned with the 24-hour environmental cycle.
How Circadian Rhythms Impact School Start Times: Circadian rhythms influence individuals’ sleep patterns and natural body clock. With schools starting early in the morning, students are often waking up when it is still dark outside. This can be disruptive to their natural rhythms, leading to the negative effects of sleep deprivation and impaired academic and mental performance.
Evidence that Starting School Later Aligns Better with Students’ Natural Biological Processes: When students start school later in the morning, they are more closely aligned with their natural biological processes. Delaying school start times can lead to better sleep hygiene and overall natural body clock synchronization, reducing the negative impacts of sleep deprivation and its impact on academic performance.
Economic Implications of Starting School Later
Explanation of the Economic Benefits of Academic Success: Academic success often correlates with improved economic outcomes for individuals, communities, and the nation. Improved academic success can lead to future success in one’s professional life, chances to earn more money, improve productivity and contribute to society.
Impact of Academic Success on Future Success: Students who go through school with better academic performance have a higher chance of getting into better schools, obtaining higher paying jobs, and contributing to economic development in their communities.
How a Delayed Start Time Could Benefit the Economy through an Educated Workforce: By starting later, students would have improved academic success resulting in a more educated and skilled workforce in the future, which can lead to increased economic growth.
Potential Solutions and Conclusion
Possible Solutions to the Problem of Early School Start Times: While changing start times can be a complicated issue with multiple stakeholders involved, adjusting start times by even an hour can make a difference. In some cases, districts have found success in adopting a later start time for high schoolers only.
Recap of Reasons Why School Should Start Later: Delaying school start times can lead to improved academic performance, better mental and emotional health, following a global trend of later start times, alignment with natural biological processes, and economic benefits through an improved workforce.
Call to Action for Implementing Change: It’s important to take action on this issue, to protect the health, well-being, and academic success of students. Write letters to your school board, participate in public discussions, and make your voice heard in support of later start times. After all, better sleep and overall well-being are critical for students’ success and happiness.