New Law Will Change Start Times At 5 NJ Schools – And Likely More – Newark, NJ Patch

NEW JERSEY – New Jersey high school kids are about to get a big morning break – and more sleep – if they go to one of five high schools.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation this week (S3160) that will require the Department of Education to establish a four-year pilot program testing later school start times for five high schools. And, if it works, maybe more will start later, too.

The law will assess how shifting start times would impact districts overall, including how extracurricular activities may be impacted and how transportation to and from school would be affected, according to the Murphy administration.

“Research also shows that academic progress may be negatively impacted by starting school too early,” Murphy said. “By testing the viability of changing start times, we are exploring ways to improve learning outcomes for New Jersey students.”

Under the legislation, Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet will select five school districts to participate in the pilot program that could open schools as late as 8:30 a.m.

Those school districts must include urban, suburban, and rural areas of the state.

“The pilot program on later start times for high school students will also allow the Department of Education to gain important impact on how students and families would be impacted by changes to the school day,” said Repollet.

The legislation was sponsored by Senator Richard Codey and Assemblymembers Mila Jasey, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, and Carol Murphy.

Adolescents are not getting enough sleep to live up to their full academic potential, and early school start times are to blame, said Codey. He added that numerous studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Medical Association say that early school start times conflict with the physical and psychological growth of adolescents.

“This isn’t just an idea; research backs up this problem,” he said. “The negative effects of not getting enough sleep will cause mental health issues within students. This is one of the reasons we need to educate students on mental health in order to help those who suffer from its effects.”

Murphy also signed legislation that will require all New Jersey public schools to include mental health instruction in K through 12 health curriculums.

The bill (S2861) aims to enhance student understanding, attitudes and behaviors related to mental health to promote well-being.

“We are striving to do all that we can to improve health and wellness for our students,” said Murphy.”By ensuring that children in grades K through 12 learn about mental health, we can promote a healthier future for New Jersey.

S2861 will require the state Board of Education to review and update the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education to ensure that mental health education is incorporated in an age-appropriate way in K through 12 health curriculums.

The legislation was sponsored by Sens. Kristin Corrado, Codey and Joseph Vitale and Assemblymembers Gary Schaer, John McKeon, Joann Downey, Raj Mukherji and Daniel Benso

“This legislation is long overdue,” said Vitale. “It has taken our society a long time to recognize the crucial piece of wellbeing that is mental health. We try to prepare our children by teaching them about science, math, English and physical health. It is time to add mental health to the essential learning for a well-rounded young adult and I am glad the Governor is taking action to make this the case in New Jersey.”

“One in five children ages 13 to 18 have, or will have, a serious mental illness in their lives,” said McKeon. “In any given classroom, there’s bound to be students living with a mental health issue, from ADHD to depression to anxiety. Some may not have been diagnosed or treated. Through lessons on mental health, we may help some youth feel less alone or be encouraged to seek the help they need.”

Education advocates spoke in favor of both bills.

“These new laws recognize that our students’ mental health and wellbeing are important and deserve our attention and support,” said NJEA President Marie Blistan. “We thank the legislators who supported them and Governor Murphy for signing them today.”