Combined with early school start times, those changes mean many teens go to school sleepy, she says. They are being asked to get up at the wrong time. They are being asked to be in school when their brains are asleep. We don't give sleep much respect in this society. Teachers, parents, and schools need to make sleep more of a top priority.
Lack of sleep can lead to poor grades and trouble concentrating in school, the foundation says.
Sleepy teenagers are also more likely to have negative moods and behavior problems. Drowsiness can even be deadly if sleepy teens choose to drive, the report warns. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 100,000 sleepy drivers cause traffic accidents each year. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., agrees lack of sleep is a problem for teens. Dr. David Kaplan, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Adolescence, is also in favor of changing school start hours.