Title:

John DoeApril 24, 2013Mrs. Bennett7th Grade ELAThe Early Bird Gets the Bad Grade

Claim: Starting school later in the day will benefit students and school staff.

Support #1 Reduction in Car Accidents According to an article in Discovery News:

If teens have early start times for school, they are more likely to get in car accidents. For example, my nephew who is not a morning person, got into a car accident on the way to Covington High School this year and ended up in the hospital!

http://news.discovery.com/human/teens-school-start-times.htm

Support #2 Academic Performance would improve. According to researchers at the University of Minnesota, teens have difficulty falling asleep before 11 p.m. Over time, this lack of sleep may lead to irritability, anxiety, and depression. In addition, this may lead students to have problems with academic performance.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5516430_pros-school-starting-later-teens.html

Support #3 Health Benefits Alex Pratt, the director of the Student Advocacy Program for Start School Later, talked about the health benefits of starting school later in the day.

He said, We see students who are less likely to take part in a wide array of risky behaviors, and less likely to get sick or injured in after-school sports.

http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/03/15/should-school-start-later

Support #4 No More Tardies! If the school day started later, there would logically be fewer tardies. If there were fewer tardies, there would be fewer Minor Infraction Reports. Less MIRs would make teachers, students, and parents less stressed.

Support #5 Better Breakfasts If the school day started later, students would have time to eat a better breakfast. If students eat a better breakfast, they will be more alert in class.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20009767-10391704.html

Counterargument #1 Transportation Problems I know that some people might say that the school buses can only be in so many places at one time and it would be too difficult to change the current schedule of pick up and drop off times.

Response: Change schedules! Studies show that teenagers actually have difficulty falling asleep before 11 p.m. due to lack of melatonin production.

So students in middle school should start early since they are not teenagers yet. Bus schedules would just be flip flopped and no one would be inconvenienced!

Counterargument #2 Delay in After School Activities Another complaint some will have is that sports practices and other after school programs would be delayed.

Response: A schools first responsibility is to provide an environment that is conducive to learning.

Restatement/Summary: Starting the school day later will have many advantages:

Students will have fewer car accidents.Students will have better grades.There are many health benefits to students having more sleep.There will be fewer tardies!