Aurora Alternative High School, The Phoenix, 2000, Page 3

Description:	Teens, Sleep, and SchoolSleep researchers have discovered that teens are amongthe most sleep-deprived group in society. The studies they haveconducted suggest that school classes should begin later in themorning to accommodate a teen’s need for sleep.The Minnesota Medical Association recommended thatschools throughout Minnesota should establish later startingtimes at middle school and high school levels. Because of thisrecommendation the middle schools start time was changed to9:40 and the high school start time was changed to 8:30.Dr. Mary Carskadon, a sleep researcher at Brown University, states “For years we have been going under the assumption that as children grow to adulthood they need less sleep.”Her research shows that a teenager’s irregular sleep schedule(up late during the weeknights and sleeping in on the weekends)contributes to the lack of restful sleep. Teensexperience a hormonal change that affectstheir sleep patterns as they enter puberty.The Center for Applied Research andeducational Improvement at the University ofMinnesota conducted a research study on thelater school start times that were issued inMinnesota, and came up with the following ,findings: CarlyEvansAs teenagers move through the teen years,they need increasing amounts of sleep.Teens need nine hours of sleep each night to avoidbehaviors associated with sleep deprivation.1ifBy: Alicia StricklingTeens, Sleep, and School
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-aurora/id/876
Collection:	Aurora Alternative High School

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