The Times: California gives pupils a lie-in to boost results

Interestingly, we have recently had the should we move to California conversation. We love our daughter’s new school and are both keen she stays until the end of her A’levels.

Californian children will be able to stay in bed longer in the mornings after the state became the first in the US to delay start times at most public schools.

The new law is a response to scientific research suggesting that a later start to the school day would improve pupils’ health and generate better educational outcomes.

However, the bill signed by the governor, Gavin Newsom, was opposed by the state’s largest teachers’ union, which argued that it would punish working families who cannot drop their children off later and could endanger pupils left to wait outside schools before they open.

Similar legislation was rejected twice before by state politicians and by Mr Newsom’s predecessor Jerry Brown, who said last year that a “one size fits all approach” was inappropriate and that control over school timetables should be left to local districts.

Californian public schools will have a maximum of three years to adapt their schedules to the new requirements, which mandate middle schools (equivalent to Year 7 to Year 9 in the UK) beginning classes at 8am or later and high schools (equivalent to the rest of secondary school) starting no earlier than 8.30am.

The full online article can be found here.