8:30 Should Be the New 7:30
by Ravi Singh
1 It is 7:30 a.m. at a high school in New Orleans, and Carrie Guidry slides into her desk in her English class. The teacher begins a discussion on an author Carrie really likes. Yet five minutes later, the freshman's eyelids start to droop and her head begins to nod.
A photo shows Carrie with her head on her desk, sleeping in class
2 Carrie had to wake up at six in the morning to get to class on time, about seven hours after she'd fallen asleep. At that pre-dawn hour, she felt so exhausted—as she does much of the time. However, she's struggling to keep up her grades, and she's already had several absences, so she gave herself a pep talk, rolled out of bed, and eventually staggered into class.
3 According to research, there's a good reason that teens like Carrie Guidry aren't ready for instruction at 7:30 a.m. In fact, the evidence is solid enough that no high school in the United States should start any earlier than 8:30 a.m.
Rhythm(s) Versus Reality
4 The main reason has to do with circadian rhythms—also called your “body clock.” Circadian rhythms are the changes that take place in your body and behavior during each period of approximately 24 hours. Changes in your body temperature and appetite level are examples of circadian rhythms. But the circadian rhythm we're interested in is your sleep-wake cycle.
5 Part of the sleep-wake cycle is the release of a brain chemical called melatonin into your bloodstream. Melatonin makes you feel sleepy. During your teen years, melatonin is released later in each 24-hour cycle than it was when you were a child. As a result, if you're a typical teenager, you don't start getting sleepy until 11:00 p.m. or even later. And since melatonin stops being released around 8:00 a.m., that's about the time you naturally stop feeling sleepy—no matter what time you go to bed.
6 Teens may brag about getting by on only five hours of sleep. Yet scientists have known for a long time that teens need around nine hours of sleep each night—that is, if they want to function at their best.
7 So do the math. Since your body is saying, “I can't go to sleep before 11 p.m.,” you would have to get up no earlier than 7:30 or 8:30 to get enough sleep. Most American high schools have already started by 7:30. No wonder Carrie Guidry and millions of other teens are dozing through at least the first class period of the day.
What the Research Says
8 In 2010, a research team at the University of Minnesota began a three-year study of later start times at high schools in three states. They compared schools having earlier, more traditional start times with schools starting at times that correspond better to teens' circadian rhythms. Not surprisingly, the results, published in 2014, showed that some positive things happened at the schools with later start times. Students earned higher grades in core subject areas. They performed better on achievement tests. And there were fewer absences and tardy arrivals.
9 The research team reported other benefits associated with a later school start time (which means more sleep for teens). These benefits aren't as closely related to academics, but they're just as important.
Students say they feel healthier and are less likely to feel depressed.
Students are less likely to use tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.
Students are less likely to be involved in local car accidents.
10 With research results like these, why would anyone want high schools to start at an unreasonable time like 7:15 or 7:30?
What's the Answer?
11 The answer is, “Because change isn't easy.”
12 Compared to the total number of high schools in the United States, by 2014, only a very small number of high schools had implemented a later start time. Among them were schools in Minnesota, Georgia, California, Oklahoma, New York, Connecticut, Kentucky, and North Carolina. It remains to be seen how many more high schools will follow their lead.
13 Across the country, school board members and school officials have opposed a time change, despite the research findings. Some argue that a later start time would affect the schedules of elementary and middle schools in their district. Others say organizing bus routes would be too challenging. Still others say that sports programs and extracurricular activities would be disrupted. Many parents are also opposed to a later start time, saying it would result in a later end to the school day, and thus reduce family time and job opportunities.
Speak Up, Students
14 There may be a great deal of opposition to a later start time. However, it isn't set in stone that high schools have to start so soon after sunrise. All the millions of students like Carrie Guidry should voice their opinion to their district's school board and school administrators. To gain support, students can run information campaigns—both person-to-person and on social media sites. They should point out the scientific facts and research results to parents, teachers, and fellow students.
15 8:30 or later. This should be the rallying cry of anyone concerned about the well-being of high school students.
What is the meaning of the word academics as it is used in paragraph 9 of the passage?
a)school work
b)safe driving
c)sports activities
d)healthy lifestyle