Start School Later in the Morning, Say Sleepy Teens
A survey of sleep-deprived teens finds they think that a later start time for school and tests given later in the school day would result in better grades. The survey was presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference, on Sunday, May 20.
The survey of 280 high school students confirmed what most parents with a teenager know: they are not getting enough sleep. More sleep would translate into improved academic performance, according to the teens questioned. They all attended Harriton High School in suburban Philadelphia, where the school day begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:25 p.m.
The survey found that:
Richard Schwab, M.D., of the University of Pennsylvania, conducted the study with his daughter Amanda, one of the sleep-deprived teens who attended Harriton High School. “I watched her get up early for four years, and saw how difficult it was,” Dr. Schwab says. “Teenagers need more sleep than adults and their circadian rhythms are phase shifted so that their ideal bedtime is midnight to 1:00 a.m.; yet they have to get up at 6:30 or earlier for high school.
While adults usually need 7 to 8 hours of sleep, teens need 8 to 9 hours, he says. In addition, teens go to bed much later – their biological clock often keeps them up until 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. Because they have to get up so early for school, many teens achieve only 6 ½ to 7 hours of sleep or, in some cases, much less. That means they tend to sleep in on the weekends, often until 11 am or later, to try to make up for their sleep deficit.
“Right now, high schools usually start earlier in the morning than elementary schools. But if school start times were based on sleep cycles, elementary schools should start at 7:30 and high schools at 8:30 or 8:45 – right now it’s the reverse. School systems should be thinking about changing their start times. It would not be easy—they would have to change the busing system—but it would increase their student's sleep time and likely improve their school performance.”
Bookmark http://universeeverything.blogspot.com/ and drop back in sometime.
The survey of 280 high school students confirmed what most parents with a teenager know: they are not getting enough sleep. More sleep would translate into improved academic performance, according to the teens questioned. They all attended Harriton High School in suburban Philadelphia, where the school day begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:25 p.m.
The survey found that:
- 78% of students said it was difficult to get up in the morning
- Only 16% said they regularly had enough sleep
- 70% thought their grades would improve if they had more sleep
- 90% thought their academic performance would improve if school were to start later
Richard Schwab, M.D., of the University of Pennsylvania, conducted the study with his daughter Amanda, one of the sleep-deprived teens who attended Harriton High School. “I watched her get up early for four years, and saw how difficult it was,” Dr. Schwab says. “Teenagers need more sleep than adults and their circadian rhythms are phase shifted so that their ideal bedtime is midnight to 1:00 a.m.; yet they have to get up at 6:30 or earlier for high school.
While adults usually need 7 to 8 hours of sleep, teens need 8 to 9 hours, he says. In addition, teens go to bed much later – their biological clock often keeps them up until 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. Because they have to get up so early for school, many teens achieve only 6 ½ to 7 hours of sleep or, in some cases, much less. That means they tend to sleep in on the weekends, often until 11 am or later, to try to make up for their sleep deficit.
“Right now, high schools usually start earlier in the morning than elementary schools. But if school start times were based on sleep cycles, elementary schools should start at 7:30 and high schools at 8:30 or 8:45 – right now it’s the reverse. School systems should be thinking about changing their start times. It would not be easy—they would have to change the busing system—but it would increase their student's sleep time and likely improve their school performance.”
Bookmark http://universeeverything.blogspot.com/ and drop back in sometime.
Labels: circadian, Harriton, Philadelphia, rest, school, sleep, teens
posted by Scott Nance at
5/21/2007 07:36:00 PM
1 Comments:
Melatonin is produced in teens later in the day than for kids or adults, and they need more sleep than kids. But, changing the start time for school is not necessary.
The more logical answer is for them to get to sleep earlier. Despite their circadian rhythm, they definitely can change their "clocks."
Teens have become (been allowed to be) exposed to more and more in their lives, and it all affects their ability to go to sleep at a reasonable time. Drinking cola, playing stimulating computer games, going to the arcade, and being active with friends are all examples of things that should not be done in the evening.
Teens should also be more like kids and be physically active after school, but not into the evening, and relaxing after dinner. Tough homework or extensive studying could be done earlier, with time for relaxation afterward.
Teens that go to sleep at 9:00 can easily get at 6:00. I have two who have always done it. They may seem like nerds to their friends, and I may seem strict, but they always get enough sleep.
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