According to Brown University's sleep research, teenagers need 9.5 hours of sleep a night. A February 2004, Greenville News article stated that teenagers are getting an average of 6.5 hours. Because of this, teenagers are leaving home as walking zombies; this continues throughout the first few periods of the day.Students are not alert and learn less.
Students cannot be expected to function like this. At this age, students' minds do not begin to settle down and release the necessary sleep hormones until at least 11 p.m. The December 2004, San Diego Tribune stated lack of sleep not only affects achievement, but also negative moods such as anger, sadness and depression.
The answer to this dilemma is to start school later. More than 80 urban and suburban school districts have already implemented this change. These schools are reporting less depression, lower drop out rates, fewer absences and tardiness, and, most importantly, students are awake and alert upon arriving at school.
Of course there will be controversy surrounding this change, but if other schools can do it, why haven't we? Give our students the chance to learn more and learn better ' start school later.
Brandi Lott is a senior integrated language arts major.
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Letter to the Editor
