Does a later starting time of secondary schools affect the level of academic performance of the students?

The research that I did on this topic to see if starting times of schools affect students and what would be a more suitable time to start. My results were basically saying the same thing, which I expected. They said how with more sleep, students have a higher success rate in school because they are more concentrated, attentive and generally had a better attitude towards school.

My first research article was about a research experiment conducted on teenagers and described how a later start time caused students to be more attentive in class and more often on time. It caused them to succeed in school more. And even though the starting time was later, students were going to sleep at the same time at night and but getting more sleep. Its focus is on how a later starting school gives students just enough extra sleeping time for them to do better in school.

My second article was about the sleep patterns of teenagers and the tracking of secondary school students when they got more sleep and how it affected their performance at school. It showed how those who got a decent amount of sleep were more attentive, got better grades and had a better attitude about school than those who were sleep deprived.

My third article described how many schools in Minnesota are changing the starting times of high schools to accommodate the sleep needs of the teenagers. They reported students having a better attitude towards school and having better grades.

My fourth article stated that teenagers biologically need to sleep to perform on a higher academic level and that school should consider changing hours to accommodate these need, and some school actually are. They are changing start times and bus schedules to a later time so the students can do better in school.

My last article talked about how teens don’t work well in the morning and that starting times of school should be changed to a later time and tests shouldn’t be scheduled for the morning to benefit the students. Though this seems like a good idea many schools and parents are resisting to this because they think that the system has worked for years and doesn’t need to be changed.

Most of the results that I found about this subject were basically saying the same thing; teenagers biologically need more sleep, but can’t go to bed earlier because of other contributing factors. A good majority of the articles reported either results proving this or saying that schools were planning on switching school hours to accommodate these needs. 

Mitru, G., Millrood, D. L., & Mateika, J. H. (June 2002). The Impact of Sleep on Learning and Behavior in Adolescents. Teachers College Record, 104(4), 704.

N., S. S. (July 2, 2005). Sleepy teens haven't got circadian rhythm. Science News, 168(1), 14.

doi:10.1080/15402000701263809

School starting times. (October 1994). Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter, 10(10), 4.

Tonn, J. L. (March 22, 2006). Later High School Start Times a Reaction to Research. Education Week, 25(28), 5-17.

Wolfson, A. R., Spaulding, N. L., Dandrow, C., & Baroni, E. M. September (2007). Middle School Start Times: The Importance of a Good Night's Sleep for Young Adolescents. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 5(3), 194-209. doi:10.1080/15402000701263809