California bans schools starting before 8.30am so youngsters can have more sleep

Teens told to enjoy a lie in as legislators outlaw mandatory early starts

California Governor Jerry Brown (Rich Pedroncelli/AP)

It is a new law that would surely be a vote-winner, if only teenagers could vote.

Schools in California are to be banned from opening before 8.30am – so youngsters can enjoy a lie-in.

State legislators narrowly approved the proposals for all high and middle schools, saying evidence suggested that children who had longer in bed were healthier and more likely to graduate.

Supporters said research showed teenagers especially benefited from sleeping later: lower depression and anxiety rates, higher attainment and fewer car accidents have all been associated with school start times being pushed back in the US.

"This is the single most cost-effective thing we can do to improve high school graduation rates," said assemblyman Jay Obernolte.

Headteachers will have three years to introduce the new starting time once state governor Jerry Brown rubber stamps the bill.

At present, some 80 per cent of schools will need to change to comply, reports Fox News. Many may continue to offer earlier start times but as voluntary ‘extra’ periods, it has been suggested.

Opponents reckon local school boards, not the state, should determine start times

One, assemblyman Jose Medina, said: “When it comes to education, the farther away the decisions are made from the classroom, the worse those decisions are."

Another, Patrick O’Donnell argued: “We should not micromanage schools from Sacramento [the state capital]. Why have a school district if we are going to pass this bill? It will burden working families.”

The rule – which was previously turned down in 2017 – will not apply to rural schools.