It may soon be time to hit snooze for many students across Pennsylvania. Lawmakers are set to introduce a bill on Tuesday that would help schools push back the start time of secondary school. The bipartisan legislation cites numerous studies suggesting an ideal start time for adolescents, particularly high schoolers, of 8:30 a.m. or later to prioritize student health and academic success. The Joint State Government Commission conducted a study on the matter in 2017 and found that most adolescents do not get enough sleep and should ideally get between eight and 10 hours per night. The study found that “insufficient sleep can contribute to a range of mental health conditions, including moodiness, poor self-esteem, anxiety, depression and suicidality.” Another study found that two years after a delayed start was implemented at select schools, graduation rates increased from 79% to 88%. The bill also permits funding from the School Safety and Mental Health Grant Program to be used to alleviate costs associated with the planning, implementation and operation of a later school start time.
It may soon be time to hit snooze for many students across Pennsylvania.
Lawmakers are set to introduce a bill on Tuesday that would help schools push back the start time of secondary school.
The bipartisan legislation cites numerous studies suggesting an ideal start time for adolescents, particularly high schoolers, of 8:30 a.m. or later to prioritize student health and academic success.
The Joint State Government Commission conducted a study on the matter in 2017 and found that most adolescents do not get enough sleep and should ideally get between eight and 10 hours per night.
The study found that “insufficient sleep can contribute to a range of mental health conditions, including moodiness, poor self-esteem, anxiety, depression and suicidality.”
Another study found that two years after a delayed start was implemented at select schools, graduation rates increased from 79% to 88%.
The bill also permits funding from the School Safety and Mental Health Grant Program to be used to alleviate costs associated with the planning, implementation and operation of a later school start time.