When measuring students’ success rates, recent studies have looked at factors such as class size and private versus public schooling. For example, since private schools typically have 300 or fewer students in enrollment, this is said to help students achieve better grades and academic standing.
But what if the key to success was a little more universal, and simply required hitting the “snooze” button every now and again?
According to a new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, early school times may be preventing children from getting the eight hours of sleep per night that they need.
To avoid this lack of sleep, the CDC recommends that school classes should start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.
Despite this, the CDC reports that nearly five out of six schools across the United States start before 8:30, averaging at around 8:03 a.m.
For the study, U.S. News reports that the CDC and the Department of Education examined the data of a 2011-2012 survey which involved the participation of 40,000 schools across the country.
The CDC also reported that two out of three students get less than eight hours of sleep per night.
A lack of sleep may have detrimental effects on a teenager. According to the CDC, getting less than eight hours of sleep increases the risk of automobile accidents, obesity, and depression. Additionally, a lack of sleep correlates with poor grades and less of an inclination to exercise.
Overall, getting enough sleep could mean a drastic increase in quality of life.
According to U.S. News and World Report, school start times are mandated by individual school districts. Across the country, the data reported that some states started earlier than others. For example, no schools Mississippi started after 8:30 and 75% of schools in Alaska started after 8:30.
Perhaps this new finding will help to deconstruct the stereotype of teenagers as lazy creatures. Rather, maybe they just need a better night’s sleep.
