The Bigger Sleep
School starting times in America vary from an average of 7:48 am in go-getting Mississippi to 8:31am in late-rising Connecticut. According to a survey by the National Centre for Education Statistics in 2017-18, only in two states - Alaska and Connecticut—do schools start after 8:30 am, the earliest recommended time by a number of medical organisations.
On October 13th Gavin Newsom, California's governor, signed legislation setting a limit on starting times of half past eight for high-schoolers , in the hope that they will benefit from the extra time in bed.
There is plenty of reason to think they will. Adolescents require more sleep in the morning which will keep them energetic the whole day. A research review by scientists at the Centres for Disease Control finds that later school starting times correspond with improved attendance, less falling asleep in class, and better grades. The Rand Corporation estimates that moving to a half-past-eight start across the country would boost the economy by more than $80bn within a decade.
In response to the evidence, school districts across the country have begun to move starting times back, but California is the first state to take the leap. Parents and unions are often bitterly opposed. The California Teachers Association resisted the change, citing the financial burden on schools as they adjust to the new hours, as well as the burden on parents who work as laborers or in the service industry, and cannot start work later. Last year Mr Newsom's predecessor, Jerry Brown, vetoed similar legislation, saying the decision should be left to school districts.
Supporters argue that it is appropriate for the state to set a minimum health-and-welfare standard, as it does in other areas. It will be up to school districts to decide whether to end the day later, or cut its length. Anthony Portantino, the democratic state senator who introduced the legislation, believes evidence of the change's benefits will soon win over opponents in rural areas. "There really is no significant reason not to do this," he says, "other than an overwhelming resistance to change from adults."
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The Bigger Sleep |
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Background to the legislation |
• American schools have starting times. • Only schools in Alaska and Connecticut the recommended starting times. |
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Content of the legislation |
High-schoolers should start school no than 8:30 am, which allows them extra time in bed. |
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Benefits of the legislation |
• Adolescents feel with more sleep in the morning. • Later school starting times are linked to decreased , less falling asleep in class and better grades. • It is that later school starting times can boost the economy. |
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Opinions of the |
• Schools may bear the burden of when they adjust to the new hours. • Parents working as laborers or in the service industry may to get to work on time. |
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Opinions of the supporters |
• Setting a minimum health-and-welfare standard seems to be an appropriate practice. • Although an overwhelming resistance does in adults, it is reasonable to make the change. |
