Bill to study later school start times clears Senate panel

OLYMPIA – A state Senate committee has unanimously passed a bill to study how students perform at schools that begin later in the morning.

The Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee passed the bill Thursday, substantially altering its original language that required public schools to move start times one hour later next year.

In its current form, the bill would make the Washington State Institute for Public Policy conduct a study on student achievement for schools with later start times.

Senate Bill 6429, known as the “Sandman Act” was first proposed by students from Snohomish county. Advocates of the bill say later start times will improve learning and reduce student car accidents.

Some school districts such as Seattle and Mercer Island have already decided to start their school days later in the morning.