Should school start times be later in the day or should they be earlier? If children don't get enough sleep, can it affect their academic and sports performance? Lack of sleep is common among college students and is among many health risks, including alcohol consumption as well as poor academic performance. In the United States, 93% of high schools and 83% of middle schools start before 8:30 a.m. (CDC Features.). Many organizations recommend that middle and high schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later to give students the opportunity to get a good night's sleep. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essay During puberty, adolescents sleep late at night and need to sleep later in the morning due to changes in biological rhythms . Setting a regular bedtime and waking time, including on weekends, is recommended for everyone. Other studies indicate that delaying departure times increases attendance, decreases rates of depression and reduces car accidents among teens. Biological research shows that circadian rhythms change during adolescence, causing boys and girls to stay up later at night and sleep later in the morning (Fischetti). Elizabeth Baroni also found evidence for other potential mechanisms; Later start times are associated with reduced TV time, increased homework time, and decreased absences. A number of school districts responded by delaying the start of the school day, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren recommended that schools nationwide start at 9 a.m. or later. Many students who have to wake up early for school do not get enough sleep, and starting the school day later would improve their performance. Among middle school students, the impact of start times is greater for older students. Researchers reported a poor correlation between reported sleep hours and academic grades of middle and high school students. Adolescents who are sleep-deprived are at higher risk for behavioral problems such as depression, health problems, and poor academic and even athletic performance. Sleep patterns shift toward later times, both for sleeping and waking, during adolescence, meaning it's natural to not be able to fall asleep before 11 p.m. Sleeping less can make you more prone to breakouts, acne, and other skin disorders (teens and sleep). Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, school start times actually decrease children's performance in school or sports. The average school start time is 7:30 a.m. and the time we should go to school is 9:00 a.m. or around their house. Early start times can reduce depression, drug use, performance and fewer car accidents. “Once these school districts change, they don’t want to go back,” Wahlstrom says. Many students who have to wake up early for school do not get enough sleep and starting the school day later would improve their performance..