Persuasive Essay: Should School Day Start Later?

Should The School Day Start Later? According to an article written by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Sleep Disorders Center, “There is a shift in the timing of your circadian rhythms. Before puberty, your body makes you sleepy around 8:00 or 9:00 pm. When puberty begins, this rhythm shifts a couple hours later. Now, your body tells you to go to sleep around 10:00 or 11:00 pm” (UCLA Health). On average, teens need approximately ten hours of sleep a night. Nearly fifty percent of teens get eight hours or less sleep on a school night. By delaying the start time of middle and high schools, educators will see a boost in attendance and test scores, a decrease in tardiness, substance abuse, and depression, as well as, improved overall health and wellness Specifically, the need for sleep is even more important as students have a long list of activities and hormonal changes. Kate Hanley, author of The Importance of Sleep for Kids and Teens, quotes Margaret Richards, PhD, “Sleep gives cells a chance to regenerate, muscles to repair themselves, and the brain a chance to recalibrate hormone …show more content…
Michael Gonchar writes, “Some worry that pushing the school day back might get in the way of after-school sports and jobs, and wouldn’t leave students enough time to finish homework” (Gonchar). This can be true using the current mind set, however, change on any level will need an adjusting time period. In the article, Eight Major Obstacles to Delaying School Start Times written in the National Sleep Foundations website mentions “The change will affect the entire community, from students and parents to businesses, libraries, police, youth sports clubs, bus drivers and many others. Create a standard presentation, and offer to give it to as many groups as possible” (Natinal Sleep Foundation). Changing the start time is proven to be more beneficial to the students overall health and