The state legislature will likely vote again next year on legislation that would require middle and high schools to start no earlier than 8:30am. The bill, SB 328, is coauthored by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada-Flintridge). It passed the Senate in May with a 31-25 vote but failed in the Assembly on a vote of 26-30. Supporters argue a later start time improves the health and well-being of students, increasing school achievement and reducing the impact of sleep deprivation, particularly among adolescents. Later start times also mean there would be more daylight when kids are walking to school. Some local Safe Routes to School advocates, however, have concerns that a one-size-fits-all school start time does not work for some communities, and that the later start times could expose students walking and bicycling to school to busier car traffic during key commute times. The Safe Routes Partnership encourages communities to think about how the mandated start time might impact student health and safety in their communities, and let us know your thoughts by taking this survey. Please respond as soon as you are able, but no later than January 6, 2018.The survey will help the Safe Routes Partnership determine its position. You can also make your interests known to your state legislators.
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