SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) – Some San Diego Unified School District students may soon be able to sleep in a little later after the school board of education on Tuesday took a step toward pushing school start times until 8:30 a.m.
San Diego Unified’s move to start school no earlier than 8:30 a.m., was an idea championed by school board member and psychologist, Dr. John Lee Evans.
Dr. Evan pointed out that scientific research shows that the circadian rhythms of teenagers are different than adults. The lack of quality of sleep can impact physical and emotional health – leading to increased risk of depression, obesity and road accidents, which can affect student achievement and absenteeism.
The board on Tuesday night unanimously passed a resolution to form a ‘working group’ to establish the later start time, initially in San Diego Unified’s high schools.
Ideally, the pilot program would set up in a few high schools next year with all San Diego Unified high schools adopting the 8:30 a.m., or later start time by the 2020-2021 school year.