Causes.com
| 9.4.18
Should School Only Begin After 8:30am So Students Get More Sleep?
Vote to see how others feel about this issue
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)
The Latest
-
IT: 🛢️ New Vermont measure could charge Big Oil for climate damages, and... Do you think Trump is guilty?Welcome to Friday, May 10th, friends... Vermont could be one of the first states to hold Big Oil accountable for the damages read more...
-
Stormy Daniels Takes the Stand in Trump Hush Money TrialUpdated May 9, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST Adult film star Stormy Daniels, also known as Stephanie Clifford, spent two days on the stand read more... Law Enforcement
-
Vermont Measure to Charge Big Oil for Climate DamagesWhat’s the story? Vermont is expected to become one of the first states to hold Big Oil accountable for the damages caused by read more... Environment
-
IT: Trump's 2016 'deny, deny, deny' campaign strategy, and... How can you help the civilians of Ukraine?Welcome to Wednesday, May 8th, weekenders... As Trump's hush money trial enters it's third week, the 2016 campaign strategy of read more...