STATE SENATE MEETING TOMORROW REGARDING BENEFITS OF LATER SCHOOL STARTS

A state Senate committee is meeting tomorrow to hear about the reported benefits of having school start later in the morning. The hearing of the Senate Education Committee is set for Thursday at 1 p.m. at the state Capitol. Supporters say that letting students sleep a little longer improves academic and athletic performance and is better for their overall emotional well-being. Legislation that would bar schools from starting the school day before 8:15 a.m. had been introduced in the state House by Representative Jill Cooper. She says reports have shown the consequences of sleep deprivation for teen can be especially serious.