Nevada Joins Florida and California in Moving Toward a Statewide Floor on High School Bell Times10/4/2023
Pediatricians and sleep experts have long urged later start times for teens (Severna Park, MD) Today, the Nevada State Board of Education voted to continue to move forward a regulation to “set guidelines and guardrails for high school start times in all school districts and charter schools within the state.” The vote comes during Mental Health Awareness Week. Under the proposed regulation, Nevada high schools would be required to start no earlier than 8:00 a.m., or districts must provide alternative start time options to families and students. Annual waivers would be available for schools that show they face unique challenges. “This is exciting news for the Nevada teens who we hope will experience the known benefits of healthy school hours,” said Terra Ziporyn Snider, PhD, co-founder and executive director of Start School Later, Inc. “I’m grateful for the leadership of President Felicia Ortiz and other members of the Nevada State Board of Education for shepherding this statewide effort to support student well-being. The ability of Nevada’s children to go to school at sleep-friendly hours shouldn’t vary by zip code.” Setting a floor on how early high schools can start makes |