POLK, Fla. – A plan to mandate later college begin instances throughout Florida has been shelved, leaving the choice as much as particular person college districts — and sparking blended reactions.
The backstory:
Initially, state regulation would have required center colleges to start out no sooner than 8:00 a.m. and excessive colleges no sooner than 8:30 a.m.
The regulation cited well being advantages for youngsters, together with improved temper, higher educational efficiency and extra sleep.
“There’s a constructing wealth of proof to recommend that these later begin instances are helpful,” stated Dr. John Prpich, a pediatrician. “They do higher on exams, report much less fatigue and have extra power.”
What they’re saying:
After pushback from a number of giant counties over the projected value and logistical challenges, lawmakers reversed course. Some districts warned it may value tens of tens of millions of {dollars} and pressure already restricted transportation sources.
PREVIOUS: Senators OK repealing later college begin instances
“We already run three routes in Polk County with 165 college websites,” stated Stephanie Yocum of the Polk Training Affiliation. “We already haven’t got sufficient bus drivers. Altering the beginning instances would’ve been a logistical nightmare.”
Polk County College Board member Sara Beth Wyatt estimated the modifications would value her district roughly $19 million, citing extra buses, drivers and coaching necessities.
Whereas Hillsborough County excessive colleges have already moved their begin instances to eight:30 a.m., different districts, like Polk County, now say the mandate would have carried out extra hurt than good.
Huge image view:
There have been additionally issues about after-school impacts, together with sports activities, jobs and childcare obligations for teenagers.
Yocum added that sleep deprivation is a broader problem tied to know-how, overscheduling and way of life, not simply college begin instances.
For now, districts can determine on their very own whether or not to undertake later begin instances subsequent yr.
CLICK HERE:>>> Observe FOX 13 on YouTube
The Supply: FOX 13’s Evyn Moon collected the knowledge on this story.
WATCH FOX 13 NEWS LIVE:
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
