from Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
The idea of later start times for high school
classes is not new, but a review of eighteen
studies again brings the issue forward. The
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine review
shows later high school start times are
associated with longer sleep times for teens,
less daytime sleepiness and reduced traffic
accidents. The American Academy of Sleep
Medicine recommends teens get eight to ten
hours of sleep on a regular basis, but statistics
from the CDC suggest more than two-thirds of
teens get less than that. Another factor is
that the body clock of teens tends to favor
late night bed time. The article notes there is
mixed support for delaying school start times,
but the positive benefits seem clear.