The 7:30 a.m. first bell is steadily fading in schools across the nation.
Some middle and high schools across Florida kicked off the 2026-2027 academic year with later start times even though a statewide law mandating it was repealed and replaced with a policy allowing districts to determine their own schedules.
California’s law, which took effect in 2023, prohibits middle schools from starting before 8 a.m. and high schools before 8:30 a.m.
Similar legislation is pending in 11 other states and could see action ahead of the next school year, including in Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut, according to the Start School Later coalition of sleep scientists, educators, and medical professionals….