Many students, parents, and school administrators often debate whether U.S. schools start too early in the morning. The average start time for schools begins as early as 7:30 am. However, studies have shown a later start time ultimately improves the learning of most students. Two articles, Early School Start Times Unhealthy for Students published by Sarah Cheshire on CNN in 2014 and Do Schools Begin too Early published by Finley Edwards in 2016, overview the advantages and disadvantages of delaying the time school starts. Although both articles make great points about the benefits of pushing school start times back, author Finley Edwards articulates his points in a more convincing way to the intended audience because of his justifying logos
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It has been proven that later start times allow teen students to get more sleep which in turn improves academic achievements. Finley stated “As students enter adolescence, hormonal changes make it difficult for them to compensate for early school start times by going to bed earlier. The effect of school start times should be larger for older students, who are more likely to have begun puberty.” (Edwards) Finley concluded that later start times are very likely to benefit middle and high schoolers. Sara Cheshire’s stated that “Middle and high schools that start later in the day tend to have students with less daytime sleepiness, less tardiness, fewer attention difficulties and better academic performance than early-starting schools.” (Cheshire) An increase in the amount of sleep an average teen gets will likely result in students who are able to focus better, retain information, and have more energy to participate, which essentially makes a difference in their future success in school and in the …show more content…
For example, in Cheshire’s article she describes the trickle down effects that lack of sleep can cause for students, “Sleep-deprived teens tend to eat more carbohydrates and fats, with every hour of sleep that is lost increasing the odds of obesity by 80%. Adolescents that go to sleep at midnight or later are also more likely to suffer from depression and have suicidal thoughts.” (Cheshire) Cheshire inferred that students who have less sleep are more likely to become depressed or obese, which may not apply to all students. Additionally, Edwards expresses that “Students who start school one hour later have 1.3 fewer absences than the typical student—a reduction of about 25 percent. Fewer absences therefore may also explain why later-starting students have higher test scores: students who have an early start time miss more school and could perform worse on standardized tests as a result.” (Edwards) Starting school at a later time will likely improve student attendance, in turn, this can enhance test scores and overall
It has been proven that later start times allow teen students to get more sleep which in turn improves academic achievements. Finley stated “As students enter adolescence, hormonal changes make it difficult for them to compensate for early school start times by going to bed earlier. The effect of school start times should be larger for older students, who are more likely to have begun puberty.” (Edwards) Finley concluded that later start times are very likely to benefit middle and high schoolers. Sara Cheshire’s stated that “Middle and high schools that start later in the day tend to have students with less daytime sleepiness, less tardiness, fewer attention difficulties and better academic performance than early-starting schools.” (Cheshire) An increase in the amount of sleep an average teen gets will likely result in students who are able to focus better, retain information, and have more energy to participate, which essentially makes a difference in their future success in school and in the …show more content…
For example, in Cheshire’s article she describes the trickle down effects that lack of sleep can cause for students, “Sleep-deprived teens tend to eat more carbohydrates and fats, with every hour of sleep that is lost increasing the odds of obesity by 80%. Adolescents that go to sleep at midnight or later are also more likely to suffer from depression and have suicidal thoughts.” (Cheshire) Cheshire inferred that students who have less sleep are more likely to become depressed or obese, which may not apply to all students. Additionally, Edwards expresses that “Students who start school one hour later have 1.3 fewer absences than the typical student—a reduction of about 25 percent. Fewer absences therefore may also explain why later-starting students have higher test scores: students who have an early start time miss more school and could perform worse on standardized tests as a result.” (Edwards) Starting school at a later time will likely improve student attendance, in turn, this can enhance test scores and overall