Question
In the article "Should School Start Later?" from Scholastic Scope, the authors present arguments for and against delaying school start times.
After reading the article, write an argumentative essay in which you take a position on whether school should start later.
Clearly state your claim.
Provide at least three reasons.
Support your reasons with relevant text evidence.
Use persuasive language to strengthen your argument.
Your phone shrieks. Confused and groggy, you open your eyes. Surely it isn’t time to get up already? You tap snooze and sink back into dreamland—until your dad knocks on the door.
“Wake up!” he calls. “The bus will be here in 10 minutes!”
You groan. Five more minutes. Please, please, pleeaasseeeee!
If this sounds familiar, you aren’t alone. Before the pandemic, nearly 70 percent of teens weren’t getting enough sleep.*
Last year, things were different. Many teens were able to sleep in because remote classes started later, didn’t require a commute, or gave students flexibility in their schedules. But now that in-person school has resumed, teens across America are once again battling their alarms, and a debate has reignited: Should school start later?
The Science of Sleep
In the U.S., the average start time for middle and high schools is a few minutes after 8 a.m. It hasn’t always been this way, though. A century ago, most schools started around 9 a.m. Then in the 1970s, districts began shifting to earlier schedules for teens, with elementary age kids starting later. This saved districts money because it reduced the number of buses needed: When start times are staggered, the same buses can make multiple trips; otherwise, you need enough buses to transport all elementary, middle, and high school students at once.
Today, we know much more about teens and the science of sleep. Scientists now understand that adolescents experience something called “phase delay.” Here’s how it works: At night, our bodies release a hormone called melatonin that makes us sleepy. Around middle school, this melatonin release gets pushed back by one to two hours. As a result, many teens have a hard time falling asleep before 11 p.m. If you have to be at school by 8 a.m., it can be tough—if not impossible—to get the 8 to 10 hours of sleep you need to be healthy.
And that’s a problem.
“If teens aren’t getting enough sleep, it’s going to impact every aspect of their life,” says Dr. Lisa Meltzer, a sleep psychologist.
Indeed, being exhausted can make you cranky and sad. It can make it harder to concentrate, sit still, and learn. And it can weaken your immune system and impede your ability to make good decisions.
Given how critical sleep is to your well-being, it’s no surprise many experts recommend that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.**
“If teens aren’t getting enough sleep, it’s going to impact every aspect of their life,” says Dr. Lisa Meltzer, a sleep psychologist.
Benefits and Drawbacks
In 2017, Cherry Creek school district in Colorado pushed back start times for its middle and high schools. Since then, students have said they are less sleepy during the school day and participate more in first period. Meltzer, who led a study of Cherry Creek students, found that kids were sleeping more—and they stopped falling asleep doing their homework.
Over the past few years, hundreds of other schools have also experimented with later start times. The results have been promising, with students feeling more alert and fewer incidents of tardiness.
If later start times are good for teens, why doesn’t everyone make the switch? Unfortunately, it’s not so simple. For one thing, starting later means ending later, which leaves less time for after-school activities like sports, dance, and music. For outdoor activities, this is especially problematic during the winter, when daylight hours are limited.
Later dismissal times could also cut into after-school jobs and create scheduling conflicts for families. In Cherry Creek, some families say they have less time in the evening for homework and dinner.
Transportation is another obstacle. Later start times could require some districts to invest in additional buses and drivers, which can be costly. And many parents might not be able to drive their kids to school before work.
Of course, early start times aren’t the only reason that teens are exhausted. Many things can get in the way of a good night’s sleep, such as caffeine, stress, overscheduling, and too much screen time.
Still, the benefits of a later start time are compelling. So what do you think? Should more schools start later?
less then 5 paragraphs
School should start later for students because it has so many benefits. Starting school later would mean that students get more sleep, students would improve in their well-being and the district would not need as many buses.
Starting school a little later will help the students get more sleep. The text explains that teens often have trouble falling asleep because of “phase delay” so they need to sleep a little later in the mornings. Teens need between 8 to 10 hours of sleep at night. If teens fall asleep later and still have to be awake early they will not get the right amount of sleep.
Starting school later can help students’ well-being. When students do not get enough sleep they may not concentrate and have trouble learning. They may be grumpy or sad. They may get sick more often because their immune system can be weak.
Starting school a little later could save the school district money because they would not need to use as many buses. The school district could pick up the younger children and take them to school first and then they can pick up the older children. If all the children go to school at the same time, then the district needs a lot of buses.
In conclusion, starting school later for students will benefit many people in many ways. The students will be able to get more sleep, they will have a better well-being and the school district can save money on buses.
After reading the article, write an argumentative essay in which you take a position on whether school should start later.
Clearly state your claim.
Provide at least three reasons.
Support your reasons with relevant text evidence.
Use persuasive language to strengthen your argument.
Your phone shrieks. Confused and groggy, you open your eyes. Surely it isn’t time to get up already? You tap snooze and sink back into dreamland—until your dad knocks on the door.
“Wake up!” he calls. “The bus will be here in 10 minutes!”
You groan. Five more minutes. Please, please, pleeaasseeeee!
If this sounds familiar, you aren’t alone. Before the pandemic, nearly 70 percent of teens weren’t getting enough sleep.*
Last year, things were different. Many teens were able to sleep in because remote classes started later, didn’t require a commute, or gave students flexibility in their schedules. But now that in-person school has resumed, teens across America are once again battling their alarms, and a debate has reignited: Should school start later?
The Science of Sleep
In the U.S., the average start time for middle and high schools is a few minutes after 8 a.m. It hasn’t always been this way, though. A century ago, most schools started around 9 a.m. Then in the 1970s, districts began shifting to earlier schedules for teens, with elementary age kids starting later. This saved districts money because it reduced the number of buses needed: When start times are staggered, the same buses can make multiple trips; otherwise, you need enough buses to transport all elementary, middle, and high school students at once.
Today, we know much more about teens and the science of sleep. Scientists now understand that adolescents experience something called “phase delay.” Here’s how it works: At night, our bodies release a hormone called melatonin that makes us sleepy. Around middle school, this melatonin release gets pushed back by one to two hours. As a result, many teens have a hard time falling asleep before 11 p.m. If you have to be at school by 8 a.m., it can be tough—if not impossible—to get the 8 to 10 hours of sleep you need to be healthy.
And that’s a problem.
“If teens aren’t getting enough sleep, it’s going to impact every aspect of their life,” says Dr. Lisa Meltzer, a sleep psychologist.
Indeed, being exhausted can make you cranky and sad. It can make it harder to concentrate, sit still, and learn. And it can weaken your immune system and impede your ability to make good decisions.
Given how critical sleep is to your well-being, it’s no surprise many experts recommend that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.**
“If teens aren’t getting enough sleep, it’s going to impact every aspect of their life,” says Dr. Lisa Meltzer, a sleep psychologist.
Benefits and Drawbacks
In 2017, Cherry Creek school district in Colorado pushed back start times for its middle and high schools. Since then, students have said they are less sleepy during the school day and participate more in first period. Meltzer, who led a study of Cherry Creek students, found that kids were sleeping more—and they stopped falling asleep doing their homework.
Over the past few years, hundreds of other schools have also experimented with later start times. The results have been promising, with students feeling more alert and fewer incidents of tardiness.
If later start times are good for teens, why doesn’t everyone make the switch? Unfortunately, it’s not so simple. For one thing, starting later means ending later, which leaves less time for after-school activities like sports, dance, and music. For outdoor activities, this is especially problematic during the winter, when daylight hours are limited.
Later dismissal times could also cut into after-school jobs and create scheduling conflicts for families. In Cherry Creek, some families say they have less time in the evening for homework and dinner.
Transportation is another obstacle. Later start times could require some districts to invest in additional buses and drivers, which can be costly. And many parents might not be able to drive their kids to school before work.
Of course, early start times aren’t the only reason that teens are exhausted. Many things can get in the way of a good night’s sleep, such as caffeine, stress, overscheduling, and too much screen time.
Still, the benefits of a later start time are compelling. So what do you think? Should more schools start later?
less then 5 paragraphs
School should start later for students because it has so many benefits. Starting school later would mean that students get more sleep, students would improve in their well-being and the district would not need as many buses.
Starting school a little later will help the students get more sleep. The text explains that teens often have trouble falling asleep because of “phase delay” so they need to sleep a little later in the mornings. Teens need between 8 to 10 hours of sleep at night. If teens fall asleep later and still have to be awake early they will not get the right amount of sleep.
Starting school later can help students’ well-being. When students do not get enough sleep they may not concentrate and have trouble learning. They may be grumpy or sad. They may get sick more often because their immune system can be weak.
Starting school a little later could save the school district money because they would not need to use as many buses. The school district could pick up the younger children and take them to school first and then they can pick up the older children. If all the children go to school at the same time, then the district needs a lot of buses.
In conclusion, starting school later for students will benefit many people in many ways. The students will be able to get more sleep, they will have a better well-being and the school district can save money on buses.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
**Should School Start Later? An Argument for Student Well-Being**
School should start later for students because it brings numerous benefits that promote overall health, learning, and cost-effectiveness. By allowing students to enjoy more sleep, improve their mental and physical well-being, and minimize transportation costs for school districts, a later start time is not merely beneficial—it is essential.
First and foremost, starting school later allows students to get the recommended amount of sleep. The article points out that teens often experience a “phase delay,” resulting in difficulty falling asleep before 11 p.m. Consequently, if they are required to wake up early for school, they are deprived of the 8 to 10 hours of sleep they need. More sleep is crucial for adolescents, as it is directly linked to their ability to function effectively during the day, promoting better concentration and academic performance. When Cherry Creek schools delayed their start times, students reported feeling less tired and more engaged in class, demonstrating that more sleep directly correlates with improved attentiveness.
Furthermore, students’ overall well-being significantly improves when they receive adequate sleep. The article highlights that lack of sleep can lead to irritability, sadness, and a weakened immune system. In contrast, well-rested students are better equipped to handle stress, participate in class, and engage with their peers positively. The mental and emotional health of students is just as important as their academic achievements, and starting school later could foster a more supportive and productive learning environment.
Lastly, a later start time could ultimately benefit school districts financially. As mentioned in the article, staggered start times can reduce the need for multiple bus runs, which in turn decreases transportation costs. By picking up younger students first and older students later, schools could optimize their resources while streamlining transportation. This can ease budget pressures on districts, allowing them to allocate funds to other important areas like educational programs and extracurricular activities.
In conclusion, starting school later would have multifaceted benefits for students and school districts alike. More sleep leads to improved student performance and well-being while also providing financial savings for districts through smarter bus scheduling. As we have seen through research and statistics, it is clear that the time for change is now—let us prioritize the health and happiness of our students by advocating for a later school start time.
School should start later for students because it brings numerous benefits that promote overall health, learning, and cost-effectiveness. By allowing students to enjoy more sleep, improve their mental and physical well-being, and minimize transportation costs for school districts, a later start time is not merely beneficial—it is essential.
First and foremost, starting school later allows students to get the recommended amount of sleep. The article points out that teens often experience a “phase delay,” resulting in difficulty falling asleep before 11 p.m. Consequently, if they are required to wake up early for school, they are deprived of the 8 to 10 hours of sleep they need. More sleep is crucial for adolescents, as it is directly linked to their ability to function effectively during the day, promoting better concentration and academic performance. When Cherry Creek schools delayed their start times, students reported feeling less tired and more engaged in class, demonstrating that more sleep directly correlates with improved attentiveness.
Furthermore, students’ overall well-being significantly improves when they receive adequate sleep. The article highlights that lack of sleep can lead to irritability, sadness, and a weakened immune system. In contrast, well-rested students are better equipped to handle stress, participate in class, and engage with their peers positively. The mental and emotional health of students is just as important as their academic achievements, and starting school later could foster a more supportive and productive learning environment.
Lastly, a later start time could ultimately benefit school districts financially. As mentioned in the article, staggered start times can reduce the need for multiple bus runs, which in turn decreases transportation costs. By picking up younger students first and older students later, schools could optimize their resources while streamlining transportation. This can ease budget pressures on districts, allowing them to allocate funds to other important areas like educational programs and extracurricular activities.
In conclusion, starting school later would have multifaceted benefits for students and school districts alike. More sleep leads to improved student performance and well-being while also providing financial savings for districts through smarter bus scheduling. As we have seen through research and statistics, it is clear that the time for change is now—let us prioritize the health and happiness of our students by advocating for a later school start time.