Pennsylvania High Schools Closer to Later Start Times

State House Education Committee unanimously passes bill to provide assistance for later school day start.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The Pennsylvania State House Education Committee has unanimously passed a bill that would provide state assistance to help high schools in the state start their school day later in the morning. The measure, championed by State Representative Jill Cooper of Westmoreland County, now heads to the full state House for consideration.

Why it matters

Research has shown that later high school start times can lead to improved academic performance and health outcomes for teenage students, who often struggle with early morning schedules that conflict with their natural sleep cycles.

The details

The proposed legislation would provide state funding and resources to help high schools across Pennsylvania shift their start times to 8:30 AM or later. This aligns with recommendations from health organizations that advocate for later school days to better accommodate the sleep needs of adolescents.

  • The State House Education Committee unanimously passed the bill on February 5, 2026.
  • The bill now moves to the full Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration.

The players

Jill Cooper

A state representative from Westmoreland County who has been a leading advocate for later high school start times in Pennsylvania.

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What they’re saying

“Studies show teens learn more effectively when their school day starts at 8:30 or later.”

— Jill Cooper, State Representative (audacy.com)

What’s next

If passed by the full Pennsylvania House, the bill would then need to be approved by the State Senate and signed into law by the governor before high schools could begin implementing later start times.

The takeaway

This legislation represents an important step forward in addressing the sleep needs of high school students in Pennsylvania, which research has shown can have significant impacts on academic performance, health, and overall well-being.