HOUSE DOCKET, NO.                 FILED ON: 2/5/2020

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4430

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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Resolve authorizing a study of starting times and schedules.

Resolved, That the department of elementary and secondary education shall convene an educational task force to review the effect of school day start times for middle school and secondary school students. The task force shall consist of: the commissioner of elementary and secondary education or a designee who shall serve as chair; the secretary of education or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Inc. or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Inc. or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Administration Association, Inc. or a designee; the executive director of Start School Later, Inc. or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials, Inc. or a designee; a representative from the National Sleep Foundation; a parent of a high school student who is a member of a school council, as defined in section 59C of chapter 71 of the General Laws; and a superintendent from a district which has implemented later school day start times.

The task force shall: (i) conduct a comprehensive study, including a review of the scientific findings relative to sleep needs of adolescents and the effect that middle school and secondary school day start times have on the health and academic performance of students; (ii) determine the number of districts in the commonwealth that have implemented later school day start times for middle schools and secondary schools and examine the academic performance of students, including performance on statewide tests; and (iii) identify resources and opportunities to assist districts in implementing later school day start times for middle schools and secondary schools, should the task force’s findings under clauses (i) and (ii) suggest that a later school day start time is beneficial to student learning.

The task force shall file a report containing its findings and recommendations, including legislation necessary to carry out its recommendations, with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives by July 1, 2020.