By Alexis Pereria
The start times of high schools have been a topic of debate for the last six years; most high schools across the country currently begin classes around 7:00-8:00 AM, which can result in insufficient sleep for students. Research suggests that shifting high school start times to later in the morning can have numerous positive effects on students and staff: students may see increased sleep, improved academic performance, and better mental health.
Adolescents are recommended upwards of nine hours of sleep but most rarely get more than seven. The National Sleep Foundation found that in ages 15-17, 56% of students reported getting fewer than seven hours of sleep while only 10% of students reported getting the recommended amount (Source A). A person’s circadian rhythm, which naturally shifts later in adolescence, helps the body determine when to sleep. Teenagers would benefit from a later start time since they could sleep when their bodies need and wake up rested. A person’s circadian rhythm can significantly affect capacity for learning and one’s disposition.
Increased sleep because of a later start can present students with many benefits such as increase in attendance, punctuality, grades, focus, memory, emotional control, and weight control. They may also benefit from fewer student car accidents, disciplinary punishments, and sleeping during class. Teens who are sleep deprived on a regular basis may see a decrease in their conduct, mood regulation, and retention as well as an increase in absences and conflict.
Several studies have been done to prove the positive effect of later start times, notably by the University of Washington (Source B) and Journal of School Health (Source C). Student’s academic performance improved by 4.5% as did their final grades when compared to the previous year with earlier start times. Students also received an average of 30 minutes more sleep when school was delayed about an hour. Source B’s study included two schools, one economically privileged and the other disadvantaged; the disadvantaged school reaped more of the benefits including higher attendance and punctuality rates. However, teenagers are not the only ones benefitting from later start times: educators reported feeling less stressed and well rested after their start times were pushed by over an hour, as “with delayed start times, high school teachers had later rise times (HS: 28 minutes, MS: 14 minutes), increased sleep duration (HS: 22 minutes, MS: 13 minutes), and improved daytime functioning” (Source C). Both educators and students receive more sleep and experience the benefits associated with a later start time.
While there are many proponents of later start times, some educators are speaking out against the proposal. For example, in 2019, California passed a law mandating middle schools cannot start before 8:00 AM and high schools cannot start before 8:30 AM, but it would not take effect until the 2022-2023 school year to for allow accommodations to be made. Claudia Briggs, an educator and member of the CA Teachers Association, spoke to the LA Times about her disapproval, “SB 328 [CA law pushing start times] could have a disproportionately negative impact on working families, particularly laborers and service industry employees who don’t have the option of starting their workday later, we know from experience that many of these parents will drop their children off at school at the same time they do now, regardless of whether there is supervision, and there is not enough funding from the state for before school programs to ensure the safety of students who will be dropped off early.” (Source D). Brigg’s argument against later start times presents a valid counterargument; however, the CA law would not take effect for another few years allowing parents and schools the time needed to make accommodations for these students. Later start times are often enacted slowly to allow parents and educators time to modify their schedules for the delay, and are also often paired with educational seminars to inform students how to fully take advantage of the delay and get optimal rest. While some concerns are raised, the benefits outweigh the potential issues, especially because these concerns can be solved.
In conclusion, shifting high school start times to later in the morning has been shown to have numerous benefits for students, including improved academic performance, increased attendance, and better overall well-being. While concerns have been raised, such as the impact on working families and lack of funding for before-school programs, these challenges can be addressed through careful planning and gradual implementation. Prioritizing the well-being and academic success of students should be the driving force behind decisions regarding high school start times.
Works Cited
Source A: “Later School Times Promote Adolescent Well-being.” American Psychological Association, 30 Oct. 2023, www.apa.org/topics/children/school-start-times.
Source B: Dunster, Gideon P., et al. “Sleepmore in Seattle: Later School Start Times Are Associated With More Sleep and Better Performance in High School Students.” Science Advances, vol. 4, no. 12, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Dec. 2018. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aau6200
Source C: Wahlstrom KL, Plog AE, McNally J, Meltzer LJ. Impact of changing school start times on teacher sleep health and daytime functioning. J Sch Health. 2023; 93: 128–134. DOI: 10.1111/josh.13254
Source D: Luna, Taryn. “California Is First State to Push Back School Start Times - Los Angeles Times.” Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2019, www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-13/california-first-state-country-later-school-start-times-new-law.