Schools should start later to prevent problems, scientists say

Teenagers' school days shouldn't begin before 8:30 a.m., says American Academy of Sleep Medicine, linking early start times to car accidents, depression and poor academic performance. The sleep research group asserted that later start times aid peak alertness and performance while supporting better mental health and student safety. Read more>>

Atlanta Public Schools' school board is free to hire private groups to manage local schools, a judge ruled in response to a lawsuit. The Atlanta and Georgia Association of Educators said the district ' decision was an attempt to sidestep state laws governing the creation of charter schools and violated teachers' tenure rights. Read more>>

A strict separation between church and state has been enshrined in California’s law. That includes a clear ban on spending public money “for support of any sectarian or denominational school.” That could come under fire this week, when the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in a Missouri preschool playground case that challenges a state’s ban on funding a religious school. Read more>>

Linda Mulvey, Manami Tezuka and Nate Franz

The Syracuse City School District serves more than 20,000 students across 34 schools, most of which have been classified by the New York State Education Department as either “priority” or “focus” schools. Read more>>

Two resolutions before the Los Angeles Board of Education would extend the school system’s already extensive food-related activism. The first would ban "McTeacher’s Night" school fundraisers hosted by McDonald's restaurants. The second would direct district officials to develop a vegan option for every cafeteria meal. Read more>>

Very few high school football players will receive a Division I offer to play college football, but according to an NCAA study, the odds of breaking out are the highest in the talent-rich state of Florida, where a nation-leading 9.9 percent of players are recruited by a Division I school. Read more>>

The Tennessee governor's effort to address school bus regulatory problems won overwhelming approval in the Tennessee House. ​The governor's bill raises the minimum mandatory age of school bus drivers from 21 to 25 and requires future drivers to first complete a state driver education program. Read more>>

A better way to engage students and parents in the menu process involves taste testing and sampling. Eliminating variety allows the cooks the time to focus on making fabulous food. In serving food that students want to eat, participation increases. Read more>>

Could Ohio’s education reform efforts get any more bungled? Lawmakers pass one reform, only to capitulate to critics or special-interest groups. The result of this endless tinkering is that schools and students are in constant turmoil. Lawmakers should work with educators to set valid benchmarks, and then hold schools and students accountable. Read more>>

Gov. John Bel Edwards has proposed a bill that makes so much sense it’s a wonder it is even needed. The bill would outlaw paddling public school students with disabilities. That is a common sense outlook that should encounter no opposition in the state Legislature. Read more>>

First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise, and the NEA Foundation are joining in a two-year partnership to expand the Stories for All Project, First Book's initiative focused on increasing diversity in children's books, and access to affordable, diverse titles. Read more>>

Zinkerz Prep for the SAT Test adjusts to each student's strengths and weaknesses to receive a personalized plan to master the SAT. With Zinkerz Pro, students work on tutorials, drills and practice tests. One-on-one guidance is offered through the Zinkerz Online Educators program. Read more>>

​The Perfecta 3600STP full-color poster printer can scan documents up to 36 inches wide to convey a school’s brand, while giving the flexibility to scan small to big or big to small, all with minimal setup and a single power cord. Users also have the ability to print directly from a smartphone or tablet. Read more>>