Should school start time be later or earlier? If children don't get enough sleep, can this affect their performance in school and sports? Not getting enough sleep is common among students and is one of many health risks, including alcohol consumption and poor academic performance. 93% of high schools and 83% of middle schools in the United States start before 8:30 am (CDC Features.). Many organizations have recommended that middle and high schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later to give students the opportunity to get a good night's sleep. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay During puberty, adolescents sleep late at night and need to sleep later in the morning due to changes in biological rhythms. Everyone is advised to set regular times for going to sleep and getting up, even on weekends. Other studies indicate that delaying start times increases attendance, lowers rates of depression and reduces traffic accidents among teens. Biological research shows that circadian rhythms change during adolescence, prompting boys and girls to stay up later at night and sleep later in the morning (Fischetti). Elizabeth Baroni has also found evidence of other potential mechanisms; Later start times are associated with reduced television viewing, increased time spent on homework, and fewer absences. A number of school districts have responded by delaying the start of the school day, and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren has recommended that schools nationwide start at 9 a.m. or later. Many students who have to wake up early for school don't get enough sleep, and starting the school day later will boost their achievement. Among middle school students, the impact of start times is greatest for older students. Researchers have reported a poor correlation between self-reported hours of sleep and school grades among middle and high school students. Teens who don't sleep have a higher risk of behavioral problems such as depression, health problems, and poorer academic or even athletic performance. During adolescence, sleep patterns shift to later times for both sleep and wakefulness, meaning it's natural to not be able to fall asleep before 11 p.m. Getting less sleep can make you more prone to pimples, acne, and other skin disorders (teens and sleep). Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, school start times actually decrease children's performance in school or in sports. The average school start time is 7:30 am and the time we should go to school is at or around 9:00 am. Earlier start times can reduce depression, drug use, performance, and fewer car accidents. “Once these school districts change, they don't want to go back,” Wahlstrom says. Many students who have to wake up early for school don't get enough sleep and think starting the school day at a later time will boost their performance.