California lawmakers vote to delay school start times to allow students to get more sleep

[RandySF]

Lawmakers in California passed a bill Friday mandating that school start times for middle- and high-school students begin at 8:30 a.m., defying the wishes of school boards in the state as well as a local teachers' union.

The Sacramento Bee reported late Friday that lawmakers had passed a bill mandating that the start of classes be delayed until 8:30 a.m., with the exception of before school or "zero period" classes, which may still begin before that time.

The bill came despite objections from both the California Teachers Association and the California School Boards Association, according to the news outlet. It passed late Friday 41-30, after a previous attempt to pass it failed last week.

“It’s a public health issue ... I think we have the moral imperative to act,” state Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D) told the Bee.

"As with anything, knowing the governor I think he will have a personal perspective on it, and I think he also respects science,” Portantino said. “So, I’m optimistic.”

Health experts often warn about early start times for adolescent students, noting that older children often require more sleep to be healthy and productive during school hours.


http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/404708-california-lawmakers-vote-to-delay-school-start-times-to-allow-students

[tblue37]

1. K&R for visibility. nt

[Ilsa]

2. We have staggered start and end times.

Elementary has to get up first. Oddly, high school is next on the bus run, and then middle schoolers get to sleep in. I think the reason MS goes last is because most of them are next to elementary schools, and they want traffic cleared before the bext group gets out.

[TheBlackAdder]

6. In my NJ town, it's the opposite. HS 7:30, Middle 8:00, Elementary 8:30 for buses and x-ing guards.

[SunSeeker]

3. K & R

[tonyt53]

4. Schools have become exactly what parents AND politicians have made them to be.

[jimlup]

5. As a High School teacher cheers cheers cheers!

We are forcing the kids to live by adults clocks. They just don't.

At my school the block is athletics. I wonder if this will help turn the tide of sentiment and put more pressure to make the change. There is some and I've always supported it but it tends to fall on deaf ears. Or rather, is overruled by "athletic scheduling concerns."

[mshasta]

7. Specially during winter is very cruel

To have kids walking to school or waiting for the bus in frozen temperatures

[Progressive Law]

8. I had undiagnosed sleep apnea in HS...

...which made it even harder for me to be alert at 8am for classes. I welcome this move by the CA state legislature.

[bitterross]

9. I saw something about this being done in Europe. With positive effects.

I cannot remember if it was just a report in a documentary or a whole episode on this. The thing I do remember is there was an increase in on-time attendance, morale and grades.

[mopinko]

10. it's a start. should be 10am at the earliest.

noon would be better.
kids are committing suicide because of sleep deprivation. the most treatable cause of depression is sleep depravation. this is a tiny step in the right direction.

[JimGinPA]

11. When I Went To High School (Back In The Last Century)

I made the varsity basketball team my junior year. Our school gave us first hour study hall (which we didn't have to attend) for most after school programs. My sisters had to be at school at 8:30 and I didn't have to be there until 9:30. I didn't always sleep late - but I could if I wanted to.

My grades noticeably improved my junior & senior years, and I always believed it was because of the later start.