Bill introduced as part of National Sleep Awareness Week; Congresswoman cites research that demonstrates lack of sleep to academic and behavioral problems

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Washington, DC – Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) today introduced a Congressional resolution to encourage schools and school districts to reconsider early morning start times because research demonstrates that teens who get more sleep are more alert and able to learn.  The resolution, H.C. Res. 135 or “ZZZ’s to A’s,” would encourage individual schools and school districts all over the country to move school start times to no earlier than 8:30 A.M.

“I hope this is a wake up call to school districts and parents all over this country.  With early school start times, some before 7:00 A.M., adolescents are not getting enough sleep,” said Lofgren.  “Over time, sleep deprivation leads to serious consequences for academic achievement, social behavior, and the health and safety of our nation’s youth.  We must encourage schools to push back their start times to at least 8:30 A.M. – a schedule more in tune with adolescent’s biological sleep and wake patterns and more closely resembling the adult work day.”

According to researchers, adolescents demonstrate different biological sleep and wake patterns than adults.  In fact, a recently published study by Dr. Kyla Wahlstrom at the University of Minnesota, demonstrates the impact of pushing back school start times.  After the Minneapolis Public School District changed the starting times of seven high schools from 7:15 a.m. to 8:40 a.m., Dr. Wahlstrom investigated the impact of later start times on student performance and the results are encouraging.  Dr. Wahlstrom found improvement in attendance and enrollment rates, increased daytime alertness, and decreased student-reported depression.  The National Sleep Foundation reports that children and adolescents require 9 to 10 hours of sleep each night, however, few actually get that much sleep due to daily school routines.  Dr. Wahlstrom’s research can be found here.

“By encouraging schools to push back their start times to at least 8:30 A.M. and allowing adolescents to get enough sleep, we will provide students with the opportunity to function normally, achieve in school, and be their best,” said Lofgren.

Lofgren noted that some school districts have responded to the research and have pushed school start times back.  In fact, 34 school districts across 19 states have pushed school start times, and the research has led almost 100 additional school districts to consider changes.  The resolution introduced today is non-binding, meaning; its passage will not force any school districts to change their start times.  But Lofgren hopes Congress will send a powerful signal that school districts should look at the available research and consider the consequences of early morning start times on adolescents.