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State lawmakers introduce legislation to keep high school start times early

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Published  January 21, 2025 10:23pm EST
Florida
FOX 13 News

New school start time bill

FOX 13's Jordan Bowen reports on a Florida lawmaker working to remove new requirements that would force all Florida middle and high schools to push back school start time by 2026--something many teachers who live far from their schools and working parents want.

The Brief

    • A Florida lawmaker is working to remove a law that would require middle schools to begin classes no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools no later than 8:30 a.m. by 2026.
    • The existing law cited research on sleep deprivation and negative impacts it has on students' health.
    • The proposal was introduced last week.

TAMPA, Fla. - Under current Florida law, by 2026, middle schools will be required to begin classes no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m. One state lawmaker is now working to remove that requirement from the law, something many teachers want, especially those who live far from school, according to President Lee Bryant of the Pinellas Classroom Teacher's Association.

What they're saying:

"They're not driving during rush hour, so they manage to get to school, and they can work much further away than they normally would," Bryant said. "I've already had teachers tell me that they're probably going to leave Pinellas and stick with a school district near their house if they have to drive during prime time driving."

By the numbers:

The existing law was passed in 2023 by lawmakers who cited research on sleep deprivation and the negative impacts it has on students' health, safety and academics. According to state records, about 47% of Florida high schools start before 7:30 a.m., while another 19% begin between 7:30 and 7:59 a.m.

RELATED: Florida lawmakers clash over school start times law slated to take effect in 2026

Local perspective:

As Bryant explained, Pinellas County schools have yet to change any of their bell schedules.

"There's a lot of students out there that are in after-school activities or, in this day and age, have a job after school, and they have to be able to make that in order to take care of their families or in order to try to work their way into a college scholarship, so they can pay for schooling after high school," Bryant said.

Pasco County Schools have also delayed changing start times. Some parents said they see the advantages.

"It’s already difficult to focus, so I think kids may benefit from more sleep," one parent said.

READ: Pinellas County Schools adopts new panic alert system

But, they said they understand it can make it hard for working parents.

"It becomes a difficult, like what do you do, trying to get your kid to and from school, and you have to get to work," another parent said.

What's next:

Bryant also said the law could force the district to cut busing for some choice programs or make other reductions. The proposal was introduced last week.

The Source: The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jordan Bowen through interviews with Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association. 

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