Like countless families across the nation, mornings at our place can be a whirlwind of activity. Between packing lunches and searching for shoes, everyone seems to be in a daze. Thankfully, my kids don’t have to be at school until 9 a.m., so our morning madness isn’t driven by an early bell ringing before the sun even rises. However, that’s not the case everywhere—my sister’s kids head to their elementary school at 7:45 a.m., and most middle and high schools across the U.S. start before 8 a.m. This means some students are leaving home while it’s still dark outside—way too early, especially for adolescents.
Parents aren’t the only ones recognizing the downsides of early school start times. Sleep experts and health professionals have long argued that forcing teenagers to wake up before dawn is detrimental to their well-being. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, teens require 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night, but due to their unique biological clocks, they struggle to hit the hay earlier. As they grow older, they tend to fall asleep later, yet schools expect them to arrive bright-eyed and bushy-tailed long before the sun makes its appearance. This leads to a chronic state of fatigue that negatively impacts not just their health but their academic performance as well.
Studies have shown that adjusting school start times to later in the morning enhances attendance rates, improves test scores, and boosts overall grades across various subjects. Furthermore, schools that have made the switch report decreases in tardiness, substance abuse, and depression symptoms, along with a drop in teen car accidents.
Health advocates have been vocal about the need for changes in school start times for years. In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics urged schools to reconsider their schedules, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention echoed this sentiment in 2015, emphasizing the importance of adequate sleep for both physical health and educational success. The call for change is gaining traction, and earlier this year, the American Medical Association also recommended later start times.
In April, a gathering of experts from various fields met in Washington, D.C., at a conference hosted by Start School Later, an organization dedicated to prioritizing students’ sleep health. They discussed strategies to advocate for this crucial change at both district and state levels. Parents, it’s time to make your voices heard—school districts and policymakers need to listen.
Change can be tough, especially when some resist deviating from the status quo. But just because adults are perpetually tired doesn’t mean our kids should be. We have the knowledge to improve their situation, so why not use it?
Some districts are already taking steps in the right direction. For example, my local school district in suburban Chicago has recently approved a two-year pilot program to shift school hours from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Starting in the 2017-18 school year, this change benefits students while slightly adjusting class and lunch periods.
While change may be challenging, it is certainly achievable. If it means enhancing our children’s physical, emotional, and educational growth, it’s worth pursuing. Kudos to my local school district for stepping up and prioritizing our kids’ health. With ongoing pressure from parents, medical professionals, and advocates, we can hope to see more schools embracing later start times. Now, if only we could get our employers to prioritize sleep as well.
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In summary, it’s clear that later school start times are vital for our teens’ well-being and academic success. As more districts recognize the importance of prioritizing sleep, we can hope for a brighter future for our children.