Question

I will write my argumentative essay on: High schools should start later in the morning.

Thesis: High schools should begin no earlier than 8:30 AM because later start times improve teenagers’ sleep and mental health, raise academic achievement, and reduce teen driving accidents — benefits that outweigh scheduling and extracurricular challenges.
What do you think is the strongest argument for your side of this issue?(2 points)

Answer 1

The strongest argument is that later start times meaningfully improve teens’ sleep and mental health, which produces clear, measurable benefits: better attention and learning (so higher academic performance), fewer absences and disciplinary problems, and safer driving (fewer teen car crashes). This claim is supported by major medical organizations (e.g., the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 8:30 AM or later) and multiple studies linking later starts to increased sleep, improved mood, and better school outcomes.