Pennsylvania lawmakers are proposing a change that could allow middle and high schools across the state to begin the day later, aiming to better align class schedules with adolescent sleep needs.
The bipartisan proposal, circulated in a legislative memo by Jill Cooper, R-55, and Tim Briggs, D-149, would authorize school entities to voluntarily adopt later start times for secondary schools. The legislation would also permit districts to use funding from the School Safety and Mental Health Grant Program to help offset costs associated with implementing schedule changes.
Secondary schools generally serve students in grades six through 12.
The proposal is rooted in research showing that adolescents require more sleep than younger children or adults. Studies cited in the memo indicate that teenagers need an average of eight to 10 hours of sleep per night for optimal academic performance, physical health and emotional well-being. Early school start times, lawmakers argue, can make it difficult for students to meet those benchmarks.
According to the memo, many secondary schools in Pennsylvania currently begin classes before 8:30 a.m., a schedule that may contribute to chronic sleep deprivation among students. The lawmakers pointed to findings from the Joint State Government Commission, which has recommended that secondary schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later to better support student health and learning outcomes.
Supporters of the proposal say later start times have been linked in other studies to improved attendance, better grades, reduced rates of depression and anxiety, and fewer car accidents involving teen drivers. However, they also acknowledge that shifting school schedules can present logistical challenges for districts, including transportation coordination, after-school activities and staffing.
By allowing districts to tap into existing School Safety and Mental Health Grant Program funds, the legislation is intended to ease financial barriers that might otherwise prevent schools from considering later start times.
The proposal would not mandate a statewide change. Instead, it would give local school entities the option to adopt later start times based on their individual needs and circumstances.
As of this week, the bill has not yet been formally introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. If introduced, it would be subject to committee consideration and debate before any potential vote.
Source: WHTM