Category Archives: School Challenges

HB 363 in Texas – Establishing a Task Force to Study the Effect of Delayed School Start Times

April 18, 2023
HB 363 in Texas – Establishing a Task Force to Study the Effect of Delayed School Start Times
EXCITING NEWS - there is NEW legislation regarding starting school later in Texas!  H.B. 363 would establish a task force to study the effect of delayed school start times on students. Start School Later Texas collaborated with Representative Donna Howard regarding the bill in 2021 and were delighted when she filed the bill again in 2023. Here it is in its entirety: 88R2181 JTZ-D By: Howard H.B. No. 363 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN…
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Part 2 – My Patient Story on SRBR.org

March 1, 2021
Part 2 – My Patient Story on SRBR.org
This patient story was originally posted on Society for Research on Biological Rhythms (SRBR) Night owls have organized and our ranks are growing. Groups like the Circadian Sleep Disorders Network and B-Society are advocating for people with late chronotypes – building awareness of flexible work and school schedules, reducing stigma, and increasing federal funding for sleep research. Late chronotypes (“night owls”) are awake when most people are sleeping for different reasons. Some have a preference or habit for staying up late,…
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HB 1602 – ‘Healthy School Hours’ Bill in Texas

April 27, 2019
HB 1602 – ‘Healthy School Hours’ Bill in Texas
This legislative session in Texas, HB 1602 - 'the Healthy School Hours' Bill - was introduced to the House of Representatives. The bill would prevent all public schools in Texas from starting instruction before 8 am.  At the bill's hearing, Start School Later chapter leaders, a NAMI policy lead and a Santa Fe High School student testified in support of it. You can watch the bill's hearing in the Committee on Public Education here and read…
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Testifying to the Texas Senate for Start School Later

February 5, 2019
Testifying to the Texas Senate for Start School Later
During the interim session, the Texas Senate Education Committee held hearings to evaluate the Texas Education Code. Start School Later Texas proposed that Section 28.082 of the Education Code be amended to state that all Texas public schools should start no earlier than 8:00 am. As the chapter leader for SSL Greater Austin, I testified about the public safety and mental health benefits of beginning the academic day later in the morning. Of course, I made…
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“Just Go to Bed Earlier” (Work Rant)

November 28, 2018
“Just Go to Bed Earlier” (Work Rant)
A couple of of my bosses have advised me to "just go to bed earlier" as have many other people. Although most mean well, it's frustrating to hear and challenging to respond to diplomatically. If I could go to bed and fall asleep earlier, wouldn't I just do it? Early bird colleagues and friends can make late risers feel inferior fairly easily. After all, rising late is widely considered a moral failing - a culpable lack of willpower - like gluttony or infidelity. During…
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My Letter to Governor Jerry Brown Regarding SB 328 For Later School Start Times

September 19, 2018
My Letter to Governor Jerry Brown Regarding SB 328 For Later School Start Times
The Honorable Edmund G. Brown Jr. Governor, State of California State Capitol, First Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: Senate Bill 328 – Request for Signature Dear Governor Brown: Please sign into law Senate Bill 328, a public health measure ensuring the health and safety of California adolescents. It would require the school day for middle schools and high schools to begin no earlier than 8:30 am by July 1, 2021. Frustrated by early school start…
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