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 4 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 4 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?**
In today’s fast-paced educational environment, it is essential for schools to align with the biological needs of their students. I strongly believe that schools should start later in the morning due to the numerous benefits it offers to students’ health, academic performance, and even logistical efficiency within school districts.
First and foremost, delaying school start times allows students to achieve the sleep they desperately need. Research indicates that teenagers experience "phase delay," which causes them to find it difficult to fall asleep before 11 p.m. According to Dr. Lisa Meltzer, a sleep psychologist, insufficient sleep can severely impact a teenager’s emotional state and cognitive abilities. Students who are sleep-deprived often struggle with concentration and learning, leading to a decline in academic performance. Therefore, a later start time, ideally no earlier than 8:30 a.m., could help students fulfill their need for 8 to 10 hours of sleep, ensuring they are alert and ready to learn.
Furthermore, starting school later significantly enhances students’ overall well-being. A study conducted in the Cherry Creek school district revealed that once school start times were pushed back, students reported feeling less sleepy throughout the day and demonstrated increased participation in morning classes. The effects are profound: when students get adequate rest, they experience improved mood stability, higher energy levels, and a more robust immune system. Simply put, well-rested students are healthier, happier, and more engaged in their education.
Lastly, shifting school start times can result in financial savings for school districts. By staggering the transportation schedules, districts could reduce the need for additional buses and drivers. This means that instead of needing a bus for every group of students, schools could simply coordinate pick-up times, thus optimizing resources and minimizing expenses. Such logistical efficiency benefits everyone involved.
In conclusion, starting school later aligns with the natural sleep patterns of adolescents, leading to healthier, happier students who perform better academically. Additionally, it provides economic advantages for school districts by reducing transportation costs. Delaying school start times is not merely a matter of convenience; it is a necessary step towards fostering an environment that prioritizes the well-being and success of our students. It’s time for schools to consider the ample evidence and make this crucial change for the betterment of all students and the community.
In today’s fast-paced educational environment, it is essential for schools to align with the biological needs of their students. I strongly believe that schools should start later in the morning due to the numerous benefits it offers to students’ health, academic performance, and even logistical efficiency within school districts.
First and foremost, delaying school start times allows students to achieve the sleep they desperately need. Research indicates that teenagers experience "phase delay," which causes them to find it difficult to fall asleep before 11 p.m. According to Dr. Lisa Meltzer, a sleep psychologist, insufficient sleep can severely impact a teenager’s emotional state and cognitive abilities. Students who are sleep-deprived often struggle with concentration and learning, leading to a decline in academic performance. Therefore, a later start time, ideally no earlier than 8:30 a.m., could help students fulfill their need for 8 to 10 hours of sleep, ensuring they are alert and ready to learn.
Furthermore, starting school later significantly enhances students’ overall well-being. A study conducted in the Cherry Creek school district revealed that once school start times were pushed back, students reported feeling less sleepy throughout the day and demonstrated increased participation in morning classes. The effects are profound: when students get adequate rest, they experience improved mood stability, higher energy levels, and a more robust immune system. Simply put, well-rested students are healthier, happier, and more engaged in their education.
Lastly, shifting school start times can result in financial savings for school districts. By staggering the transportation schedules, districts could reduce the need for additional buses and drivers. This means that instead of needing a bus for every group of students, schools could simply coordinate pick-up times, thus optimizing resources and minimizing expenses. Such logistical efficiency benefits everyone involved.
In conclusion, starting school later aligns with the natural sleep patterns of adolescents, leading to healthier, happier students who perform better academically. Additionally, it provides economic advantages for school districts by reducing transportation costs. Delaying school start times is not merely a matter of convenience; it is a necessary step towards fostering an environment that prioritizes the well-being and success of our students. It’s time for schools to consider the ample evidence and make this crucial change for the betterment of all students and the community.