Later School Start Times Essay

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Throughout the United States, students tend to complain about how early school starts in the morning. A few schools in the U.S. are beginning to move their start times later in the morning. However, not everyone is on the same side of these decisions. Some say that later school start times will have benefits on student performance and student health. Others say that later school start times would have negative affects on what time school will end and the schedules of the community. What times schools start is a very controversial topic.
One of the benefits of later school start times is improved student performance. In a study conducted by researchers from the University of Minnesota, it was found that over eight hours of sleep each night boosted test scores, attendance, and overall academic achievement (Long). With a later start time, students would be able to get a better night's sleep, and would be overall more alert (Morin). If students in school are more alert, they will be able to pay more attention to teachers. Another benefit of later school start times is health benefits for the students. Because of the hormonal …show more content…

One drawback to later start times is the fact that school would end later. Since schools that start later still have the same number of hours in a day, they would in turn end later in the afternoon. This can cause problems for after school activities, and also homework after school. Some students families depend on the money earned from working after school jobs. If the school they were attending got out later, they would have less time after school to work these jobs, so they would be unable to make the money they need to support their families (“Eight Major Obstacles to Delaying School Start Times”). In addition, any after school clubs or activities would end later after school, causing those involved to stay up later at

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