Early School Start Times Depriving Teens Of Sleep, CDC Says

The Washington Post (8/28, Hoder) reports that a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all middle and high schools delay start times to at least 8:30 a.m. “so that more teens will get the minimum 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep they need.” Anne Wheaton, an epidemiologist at the CDC’s Division of Population Health and the lead author of the report, said, “Getting enough sleep is important for students’ health, safety and academic performance,” adding, “Early school start times, however, are preventing many adolescents from getting the sleep they need.” The article adds that in 40 states, at least 75 percent of public schools start earlier than 8:30, according to the CDC.