[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 135 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 135

 Expressing the sense of Congress that secondary schools should begin 
              classes no earlier than 8:30 in the morning.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 2, 2003

 Ms. Lofgren submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
        referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress that secondary schools should begin 
              classes no earlier than 8:30 in the morning.

Whereas according to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep needs vary: children 
        of ages 5 to 12 require 9 to 11 hours a day, while adolescents of ages 
        12 to 18 require 8.5 to 9.5 hours a day;
Whereas research has demonstrated that adolescents do not get enough sleep and 
        report difficulty awaking for school, falling asleep at school, and 
        struggling to stay awake while doing homework;
Whereas scientific evidence shows that sleep deprivation can result in serious 
        consequences for the health, safety, social behavior, and academic 
        achievement of adolescents;
Whereas inadequate sleep in adolescents may lead to excessive daytime 
        sleepiness, especially in the morning, and interferes with a teenager's 
        ability to pay attention, learn in school, and perform well in after-
        school activities;
Whereas a recent study by the University of Minnesota demonstrates that pushing 
        back school start times improves attendance and enrollment rates, 
        increases daytime alertness, and decreases student-reported depression;
Whereas adolescents who do not experience sleep deprivation report higher 
        grades, less depression, and fewer at-risk behaviors for dropping out of 
        school;
Whereas children and adolescents need a good night of sleep on a regular basis 
        for their health, safety, and best performance in school and other 
        activities; and
Whereas by encouraging schools to push back their start times and allow 
        adolescents to get enough sleep, we provide them with the opportunity to 
        function normally, achieve in school, and be their best: Now therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that secondary schools should begin 
classes no earlier than 8:30 in the morning.
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