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Florida lawmakers clash over school start times law slated to take effect in 2026

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Published  January 20, 2025 11:29pm EST
Florida
FOX 35 Orlando

Florida lawmakers clash over school start times

A Florida lawmaker is pushing to keep school start times as they are, challenging a 2023 law that would require middle and high schools to begin later in the day, starting in July 2026.

The Brief

    • A Florida lawmaker is challenging a 2023 law requiring later school start times for middle and high schools, set to take effect in July 2026.
    • Supporters argue that later start times improve student focus and health, while critics worry about impacts on working parents and after-school activities.
    • The proposed bill aims to revert start times to current schedules, reigniting debate over balancing student well-being with logistical challenges.

ORLANDO, Fla. - A Florida lawmaker is pushing to keep school start times as they are, challenging a 2023 law that would require middle and high schools to begin later in the day, starting in July 2026.

The existing law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, mandates that middle schools start no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m., citing research on sleep deprivation's negative impacts on students' health, safety, and academics. 

However, a new bill (SB 296), filed Friday by Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, seeks to undo these changes before they take effect. 

Currently, about 48% of Florida high schools start before 7:30 a.m., while another 19% begin between 7:30 and 7:59 a.m., according to a state legislative report. 

What they're saying:

Parents remain divided on the issue. Some support the later start times, noting benefits like improved focus and readiness. 

"It’s already difficult to focus, so I think kids may benefit from more sleep," one parent said. Another recalled COVID-era schedules, saying her daughter thrived with an 11 a.m. start.

Others worry about logistical challenges for working parents. 

"It becomes difficult trying to get your kid to and from school while managing work," one parent said.

For families with student-athletes, concerns include potential disruptions to after-school activities. Some districts have considered moving events to different days or installing additional lighting for evening practices and games.

The debate has centered on a balancing act between student well-being and the practicalities of family schedules and extracurricular commitments.

Dig deeper:

Lawmakers passed the bill (HB 733) during the 2023 legislative session, and it was signed into law by Gov. DeSantis in May of that year. 

The start times were required to take effect by July 2026, giving school districts three years to develop plans. Backers of the bill pointed to research that shows teens need eight to nine hours of sleep each night and have trouble winding down to fall asleep before 11 p.m. 

The Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics also backed the legislation at the time of its passage.

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Senate and from parents of children enrolled in Central Florida schools.

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