It would be beneficial for students if school started later
School buses begin rolling before dawn in many communities where high school students are due in class by 7:30 a.m. It would be beneficial for students if school started later. Up to 15% of American children are chronically late to school, missing at least one class in 7, according to a new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Studies show that only 15% of students get enough sleep. If school started later it would be beneficial to teenagers because they would get enough sleep, there would be less chance of students being late, and they would have more time to eat breakfast. Adolescents generally need 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep per night. Almost 85% of teens are sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation can cause drowsy driving, impaired decision making, and even a higher chance of depression. Insufficient sleep among adolescents may not only contribute to lower grades and a lack of motivation, but may also increase the odds of serious levels of emotional and behavioral disturbances. The benefits of having teens start the school day later are very compelling. Researchers at the University of Minnesota changed the start of the school day from 7:15 am to 8:40 am for students at seven high schools. Students not only got 5 or more hours of sleep each week. By making school start later, students would have more REM sleep which would improve their health. Scientists have discovered that sleep plays a critical role in metabolism, memory, and learning which makes starting school later beneficial for students. By starting school later, there would be fewer chances of students being late. It would give students more time to prepare for school and get dressed without being late and without being rushed. By showing up late, students could get detentions, or other consequences, which would help their education, go downhill. When students come to class late, it can disrupt a class, distract other students, impede learning, and it can become chronic and spread