Not getting enough sleep is common among high school students and is associated with several health risks as well as poor academic performance. One of the reasons teens do not get enough sleep is early school start times. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that middle and high schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later to give students the opportunity to get the amount of sleep they need. The US Department of Education reports that 93 percent of high schools and 83 percent of middle schools in the US started before 8:30 a.m. with 42 states having an early start time.

Locally, school divisions are looking at later start times for the middle and high schools. Chesapeake City Schools has for years established a starting time of 8:40 for high schools and 8:45 for middle schools. In 2020, both Norfolk and Virginia Beach will shift to a later start time for their senior high schools.

Dr. Melinda Boone, superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools, says that a later start time for its high schools allows students the opportunity to complete assignments and not face an early class time the next morning.

Educationally Speaking airs weekdays at 11: 04 a.m. on 89.5 WHRV FM. Listen to past episodes. 

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