Early School Start Times Raise Risk of Teen Car Crashes

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I go to a school that starts at 8 and ends at 3. To "Elain" - this is a common misunderstanding. Most adults don't understand (either that or they just are in denial) that teen's have different sleep rhythms than adults. Their circadian rhythms make it so that melatonin (the sleep hormone) is secreted later, forcing them to be tired and fall asleep later at night (11:00 or later), therefore making it impossible for most teens to be sufficiently rested by the time that the traditional high school/middle school starts (around 8:00 am). According to multiple sources, teens need an average of 9.25 hours of sleep daily, but due to the ridid, non-flexible hours of most schools, are getting around only 7. 7 hours of sleep may be fine for an adult, but teen's bodies are different. Lack of sleep makes us grumpy, unable to perform our best on the field & on tests, and yes, like this whole article is about, behind the wheel. Along with this, sleep really concretes material teens learn during the day and boosts immune systems, meaning less sick kids who miss school and infect others while at school It's really a domino effect. Coupled with this, colleges are becoming more selective, and money is getting tighter, forcing some to rely on scholarships, which means performing their absolute best in school & on SAT's, etc., which obviously means teens are going to need to at least get adequate amounts of sleep. If society is going to put inordinate amounts of pressure on teen's to do their absolute best, schools need to stop hindering teen's success by making them sleep deprived.
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/teens-and-sleep
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/hot-topics/backgrounder-later-school-start-times
http://www.b-society.org/files/pics/B-folder-school.pdf
http://www.howtobefit.co

of 12:12AM June 17, 2010

Totally agree. I remember-back in the day when we could choose to go from 8-3 or 9-4 (athletes had to go 8-3 as practice was the last hour...) My grades were better-better rested=more prepared. I did not stay up late on purpose...it was the morning-early hours...Why not classes from 9-4...we go now from 8 until 3:30...cut the long lunches and time between periods-there's the time.

BB of WV 10:48AM June 16, 2010

well the thing is that often times we go to bed because we stay up late finishing homework. ya you can say that we should do it during the day but who wants to work when it's the prime of the day, after all people don't want to remember their teenage days as days of torture. at night we get the sense that we have to do it then or never. not enough sleep really affects your day.

skadush of UT 12:57AM June 11, 2010

This is ridiculous. If they need more sleep, then go to bed earlier not change the entire school system to meet their late nights!

Elain of CO 12:42PM June 10, 2010

You have to be kidding me on this one. I need more proof than two studies. Kids choose to stay up until 10pm. or longer. It sounds like we should blame this on the schools again instead of the parent or the student.

professor of NE 11:17AM June 10, 2010

Gee, the scientist only chose two areas close together & didn't list how the kids had gotten into the accidents.
I'm sure if we looked, we could say that other things cause accidents as well. Chewing gum causes teens to get into accidents! Drinking caffeine causes accidents!
Do the study for the entire USA & not just two areas in Virginia, then we'll talk. Most of the teen accidents aren't caused by lack of sleep but by carelessness, drinking & inexperience.

Olivia of VA 4:21AM June 10, 2010