The California Senate has voted to require that middle and high schools start their classes no earlier than 8:30am. More from KVCR's Ken Vincent.
Former Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a similar bill last year.
Democrat Anthony Portantino (pore-tan-TEE-no) says later start times allow students to get more sleep, which in turn helps learning.
LATESTART-1-CC / Portantino: “What this bill does is it sets a minimum standard based on research for health and welfare. That’s no different than setting a minimum standard on lead paint.” (0:10)
But critics are raising concerns about higher school bus costs and disrupting parents’ work schedules. Republican Mike Morrell criticized the measure as “one size fits all.”
LATESTART -2-CC / Morrell: “I’d like to leave it with local control, because I’ve had a number of calls from parents and school districts, and they all have different opinions.” (0:09)
The 24-to-9 vote did not fall along party lines. Three Democrats opposed the bill and three Republicans supported it. The measure now moves to the Assembly.
