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| Aragon Senior protesting unfair timing of new law Aragon Outlook |
In a cruel and ironic twist of fate, California lawmakers moved to require all middle and high schools in the state, public or charter, to start after 8:30am on the last day of California's legislative session and in the last year of high school for seniors across the state.
The bill, SB328, passed the State Senate and Assembly by a narrow margin after an intense debate with arguments that drew comparisons to those used in the SMUHSD's decision to have a late start rather than an early release on 2/4/6 block days.
Proponents of the bill pointed to research that showed that later start times could lead to better student performance and mental health while opponents of the bill claimed it would hurt students with extracurriculars and working parents. The California Teachers Association and California School Boards Association were among those opposed to this bill.
For those in extracurriculars and wishing to be home before the sunsets, there is still hope as the bill still needs Gov. Jerry Brown's signature before becoming law.
Sources:
https://aragonoutlook.org/2017/10/2017-halloween-rally/
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/09/01/california-votes-to-bar-schools-from-starting-before-8-30am-to-help-give-students-more-sleep.html
https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Middle-high-schools-can-t-start-earlier-than-13198460.php
2 comments:
That's an accurate headline. As you mentioned, I can imagine that athletics and extracurriculars were a major part of the debate, but I still can't imagine that this is the best option for students. Yes, a later start time could help students who are sleep-deprived. But it is also a major inconvenience for parents who need to go to work early and the millions of California students who can't drive. Also, a later end time will cause athletes to miss more class, and will prove difficult for students who work. I fully agree that our schools start way too early, but I think that starting a mere half an hour later will do little to help -- and the consequences will far outweigh the benefits.
So do we give up flextime, teacher collaboration time, or go until 3:45?
Could be an interesting debate. Will Jerry Brown be on the right side of history?
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