Question

The scene is familiar in middle schools all over the country: students nodding off during class, homework neglected due to exhaustion, and lower than expected test scores. While there has been much discussion about what can be done to improve these situations, one solution seems obvious—begin the school day later.

Sleep research supports this view. Young children typically need ten to eleven hours of sleep per night. This amount decreases to eight to nine hours as children enter their teen years, but a major change in the brain's signal for sleep also occurs at this time. Where the younger child's brain releases sleep hormones earlier in the evening, the adolescent's brain releases those hormones later. This leads to a later bedtime for teens. In an ideal world, the later bedtime should come with a later wake-up time; however, school schedules typically do not conform to those wishes.

Many renowned doctors have also weighed in and support later school start times. These esteemed doctors have found that adolescents who get the proper amount of sleep receive higher grades and better test scores. They have also found that these teens have a better quality of life. Studies have shown that a later school start time allows teenage students to get the sleep they need in order to grow and learn. So what can be done to achieve this goal? The first step is identify areas of concern among groups who do not support changing the start time. Some concerns are about the scheduling of after-school activities and bus transportation. Luckily, there are simple solutions for these concerns.

Many opponents say that a later start time means a later end time. This may interfere with student's participation in extracurricular programs, such as athletics or tutoring. While it is true that pushing back the clock will decrease the amount of time available for after school activities, that small sacrifice is worth it. If more students get the sleep they need, chances are high that their need for tutoring will go away. They will also be more focused, which means the amount of time needed for homework will lessen. Athletic events do not need to stop simply because it is evening. Schools can install lights on the outdoor fields and allow students access to indoor facilities later into the evening.

Another area of concern that should be addressed with a later school start time is the need for a school district's transportation system to change. As a cost-saving strategy, districts plan bus routes with school start times in mind. This helps to save money because they can employ the fewest number of drivers and buses possible. A concern is that a later start time will mean more drivers will need to be hired and more buses will need to be bought; however, this should not obstruct the need for a later start time. Since elementary-aged children still typically wake up earlier, start times for all levels of schools could just be switched. Elementary students can start first, and middle and high school students can start last. There will be no need to change the cost of transportation with this solution.

Most people strive to be as healthy as possible, and sleep is an important component of health. Research shows that adolescents need a later wake-up time in order to perform better and be healthier, and pushing school start times back is a logical solution.he following question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.



Part A:

After reading "A Later Start for Health," one can conclude that the author's purpose is to present a solution to the potential impact on after-school activities if schools are started later. What conclusion can be made about the effect on after-school activities as presented in "Keep Start Times as They Are?"


There will not be a problem of starting later if schools install outdoor lights.


A possible reduction of offered activities could have a negative impact on some students.


Students will show better performance in athletic events because they will be more rested.


Schools do not have enough money for their basic needs.

Answer 1

A possible reduction of offered activities could have a negative impact on some students.

Explanation: The "Keep Start Times as They Are" viewpoint emphasizes that a later end time would cut into after-school activity time, potentially reducing participation and harming some students.