Some states are considering later start times for schools
Image: Getty
These days, it’s hard for Democrats and Republicans to agree on anything – except when it comes to pushing back start times for middle and high school students.
Earlier this month, Florida’s Republican-led legislature approved a law preventing all public middle schools in the state from starting before 8 am, and all high schools from starting before 8:30. This puts the state on par with the Democrat-led California, which passed an identical measure in 2019.
⏩ Driving the change… On average, US high schools across the country start at 8 am every day, with 93% of all schools starting before 8:30 am, per the most recent federal data.
But lawmakers who support pushing back school start times cite research that shows teenagers’ circadian rhythms, aka their internal body clocks, are best synced to sleep between the hours of 11 pm and 8 am – which is typically impossible to achieve on school days.
- Other peer-reviewed studies have found delaying start times for middle and high schools is linked with higher grades, as well as increased rates of attendance and graduation.
- Both the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that middle and high schools in the US start no earlier than 8:30 am.
📸 Big picture: Similar to a brand-new sauna, the movement to push back start times is starting to gain some steam. Eight other states are currently considering similar legislation to California and Florida.
đź“Š Flash poll: Would you be in favor of your state passing a law that mandates later start times for middle and high schools?
See a 360° view of what media pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that the single policy change that would give the most benefits to students would be delaying school start times, which would reduce tardiness and absences, improve driving safety, reduce risky behaviors, and increase graduation rates.
- Others contend that while pushing back school start times would pose scheduling challenges for buses, after-school programs, and parents, the health benefits it would give students would far outweigh any such negatives.
- “Delaying school start times literally saves student lives” –Colin Lawlor and Nathaniel F. Watson, San Diego Union-Tribune
- “Start Florida high schools later to let teens wake up” –Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board
- “Push now for later school start times” –The Daily Gazette Editorial Board
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that school officials and lawmakers need to gather more data surrounding the effects of early start times on US teens before enacting widespread changes that upend many parents’ previous schedules.
- Others contend that data from some schools that have pushed school start times back show that the vast majority of students are now sleeping fewer hours than before, with an earlier start time.
- “Would starting school later in the day actually help teens? Let’s find out before making a rash decision” –LA Times Editorial Board
- “Later school start times are not helping sleepy Modesto High students much” –Sabrina Toor, The Modesto Bee
- “Changing school start times have logistic issues” –Citrus County Chronicle Editorial Board
Share this!
Recent Discussion stories
Discussion
  | May 24, 2023America is split on gender-affirming care for trans teens
🏥 So far this year, 16 states have enacted new laws restricting gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors, while 11 states have passed new laws protecting healthcare for all trans residents.
Discussion
  | May 22, 2023A look at America’s debt ceiling standoff
🏛️🗣️ President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) will meet later today to discuss a deal to raise the federal debt ceiling, in the latest effort to avoid an impending default on gov’t debt.
Discussion
  | May 19, 2023The top public health concerns, according to Americans
📝👩‍⚕️ Yesterday, Axios/Ipsos published the latest installment of its American Health Index, which every few months asks 1,000+ US adults what they think is the biggest threat to American public health.
You've made it this far...
Let's make our relationship official, no 💍 or elaborate proposal required. Learn and stay entertained, for free.👇
All of our news is 100% free and you can unsubscribe anytime; the quiz takes ~10 seconds to complete