It may take some time for school districts around Northern California to see whether a new state law that makes California the first state in the nation to require later morning start times for high schools will have much of an impact on sports.
The bill, that was known as SB-328 and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom right before midnight on Oct. 14, mandates that the state’s middle schools can start classes no earlier than 8 a.m., and high schools can’t begin instruction before 8:30 a.m.
There are some high schools we know of in the region that have first periods as early as 7:10 a.m. Most that we know of start before 8 a.m.
This new law doesn’t take effect until the 2022-23 school year to allow school districts plenty of time to decide how to change their schedules. It also needs to align with already signed labor contracts. It doesn’t apply to schools that are in more rural areas or for a zero period, elective-style class.
Obviously, there are implications for high school sports.
Student-athletes are sometimes required to attend practices before the school day starts. The amount of instruction time won’t change due to the late start. So, late afternoon contests, especially in late fall, may be hard to complete since a potential later start time would lead to lesser available daylight. There also could be transportation issues and instances of facilities being stretched as all student-athletes finish their classes later than before.
The California Interscholastic Federation wasn’t supportive, but didn’t issue any objections about the new law.
“The CIF did not take a position with SB-328 pupil attendance: school start time, as it applies to more than just athletics,” said executive director Ron Nocetti in a statement. “As customary, the CIF will be a resource for our member schools as they plan for implementation for the 2022-23 school year.”
Groups such as the California Teachers Association and school boards generally opposed the new law for reasons relating to local control. Most teachers and coaches we know just seemed to like the idea of getting done with their day earlier.
On the side of the students getting more sleep and a later start time are the American Academy of Pediatrics and California Medical Association. They cited scientific research that shows a teenager’s brain isn’t wired to go to sleep until well past 11 p.m. and that they need eight hours of sleep per night for optimal performance in class.
For those of us involved in high school sports, we always say it’s about the kids. So if that’s true, and you accept the science behind these later starting times, then this new law should be supported at least to the extent that it should be tried. After five or six years, however, if more research suggests it doesn’t make a difference — and the hardships involved have been severe — then it should be shelved. That seems fair.
“Our children face a public health crisis,” said the bill’s author, Sen. Anthony Portantino of La Canada Flintridge in a statement. “Shifting to a later start time will improve academic performance and save lives because it helps our children be healthier.”
While the new law is the first of its kind for an entire state, there have been numerous school districts around the nation that have already made the switch to later starting times — and with limited impacts for athletics. The parents, coaches and student-athletes have adjusted.
“If there’s a group of people who know how to adjust to change, it would be coaches,” said athletic director Mike Obsuszt of Barrington, Illinois, in a 2017 article in The Atlantic. “Even though there may be coaches who don’t prefer, personally, the later time, they will adjust.”
Barrington also has one of the top softball programs in Illinois and its head coach, Perry Peterson, added that he “can make it work” because he believes it’s going to be beneficial to his players.
Some might believe that decreased practice time for high school sports could be a result of these later starting times and then that could lead to poor performance, even more injuries. The other side of that, however, is that better sleep has been shown to improve performance and focus, and thus less injuries.
Yes, we get it that it might be inconvenient for some to have the school day start later and end later. But most of that inconvenience is for adults.
If it’s better for the kids, that’s the side folks involved in high school sports should be on.
Mark Tennis is the co-founder of Cal-Hi Sports and publisher of CalHiSports.com. This exclusive column was written for the November 2019 issue of SportStars Magazine. For more local sports content from throughout Northern California, visit SportStarsMag.com
“Yes, we get it that it might be inconvenient for some to have the school day start later and end later. But most of that inconvenience is for adults.”
I think the word “impossible” might be better than inconvenience. Those parents, of which I’m sure there are a great many, who do not have the luxury of changing their work schedules are still going to have to drop their kids off at the same time they normally do. If you want to make a change, try changing the “wiring” and getting them to shut off their electronics a little earlier…..
Democrats next move will be a three day school week and participation trophies for all you do not even have to be on the team.Do not want to hurt any feelings.You go Gavin.
California has to continue to groom new generations of creampuffs…
…BUT… // I understand the need for sports in high school… // …sports vs academics? Not a priority.
1. Sports is an elective, so shouldn’t matter timewise. That is if zero period/electives are exempt. Nobody HAS to take sports, it’s all voluntary.
2. If kids would get off their video games and not party til all hours on a school night, they’d be able to get enough sleep to get to school on time. I started school at 7:30 EVERY day. And I worked out fine.
Amen.
When I was a kid,Mom would wake me up at 9:00 on Sat morning. When I’d complain about being tired, she would just say “If you want more sleep, go to bed earlier.” I hated when she said that but I knew she was right.
Parents, be the adult and turn off your kids’ devices.
Wow! So much judging here! The science of kids’ sleep is factual. It changes brains. It’s not witchcraft! Understand how it can be inconvenient for parents and maybe they need to implement more morning programs, and yes, get the kids off devices earlier, but it does it not make sense for developing brains to get more sleep when their bodies need it? Nobody is saying “we all get trophies, be a cream puff” – it’s science, facts! Make our next generation better by looking at what research shows!
How far will we let politicians go? If parents, administrators and teachers think that hours need to change, then they should be free to make the change.
Otherwise, politicians should bug off.
Gavin and the rest of them seem to know how to screw up everything they touch. How about getting the power back on? how about reversing the stream of businesses leaving the state.? How about getting gas prices back to normal?
Our freedoms are being taken at an alarming rate in this state.
The only people who will remain here are the ones that are blind to that. I suppose that’s Darwinian……
@Patriot – so when you leaving?
100% supportive of this. Schools own our kids and did you notice the CTA opposes this? This puts more power in families hands and says, “What’s good for teachers isn’t always good for kids and families.” Now before you bash me as a teacher hater.. I represented CA teachers as a Union rep and negotiator for 11 years. I completely respect teachers and schools.. on this one however, they are not thinking of families and kids. Can’t stand Gov. Newsome but he’s right on this one.