Docs say don't start school before 8:30AM

To ensure sleepy teens get enough rest, the American Medical Association is suggesting that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.
The AMA adopted the policy recommendation Tuesday during its annual meeting. The policy also encourages physicians to educate parents, school administrators, teachers and other community members about the importance of sleep for adolescent mental and physical health.
"Sleep deprivation is a growing public health issue affecting our nation's adolescents, putting them at risk for mental, physical and emotional distress and disorders," said Dr. William E. Kobler, a board member with AMA. "Scientific evidence strongly suggests that allowing adolescents more time for sleep at the appropriate hours results in improvements in health, academic performance, behavior, and general well-being."
The sleep issue has been a hot topic in recent years among school districts, but it's one they must juggle with priorities such as bus schedules and giving athletes enough time for afternoon sports practice.

The AMA said recent studies show that only 32 percent of American teenagers reported getting at least eight hours of sleep on an average school night. But the American Academy of Pediatrics says that teenagers between 14 and 17 years of age should sleep 8.5 to 9.5 hours every night.