I’m concerned with the issue of sleep deprivation in teens. They are deprived of sleep from early school hours along with the physical changes of a teenager. An average teenager is supposed to get about 8 or 9 hours each night, but according to a survey taken by the National Sleep Foundation in 1999, only 15 percent of teens get average sleep time.

The majority of teens sleep about 6 hours. The school hours do not meet a teenager’s biological clock which makes them want to get to bed late and sleep late. Teens generally stay up until 10 or 11 p.m. Their bodies are telling them it is around 8 p.m., therefore keeping them awake. I think that we should change the school hours to a reasonable time like 19 other states are doing.

I surveyed people, and students responded saying that they were often too tired to stay alert during school hours. When in class you can tell the lack of alertness of teens. Some find it hard to sit up, and they slouch down. Some rest their heads, before being told to sit up by a teacher.

I think that we should change the time school starts and help teenagers to make the most out of school. Please try to help change the time. It would make a big difference in the education of teenagers.

Cody Leavitt