Should School Only Begin After 8:30am So Students Get More Sleep?

What’s the story?

• Lawmakers in California have voted to ban middle and high schools from starting before 8:30am so kids can reap the health benefits of sleeping in.

What does the science community say?

• The National Sleep Foundation found that only that only 20 percent of adolescents get the recommended nine hours of sleep on school nights—and nearly 45 percent sleep less than eight hours on school nights.
• As CNBC explained, “research from Harvard Medical School and other institutions indicates that inadequate sleep can lead to obesity, behavioral and developmental problems and depression in kids and young adults.”

What are both sides saying?

• Supporters of the bill point to the scientific studies showing that later start times improve student health, increase graduation rates, and save schools billions of dollars.

"This is the single most cost-effective thing we can do to improve high school graduation rates," Assemblyman Jay Obernolte (R) said.

• Opponents argue that local school boards – not the state – should determine when students begin their day.

"When it comes to education, the farther away the decisions are made from the classroom, the worse those decisions are," Assemblyman Jose Medina (D) said.

What do you think?

Should more states adopt legislation requiring schools to begin later in the day? Or should the decision be made by local school boards? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / skynesher)