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NJ Bill To Consider Later School Start Times Advances

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey lawmakers are questioning the start time of the state's middle and high schools, suggesting students are beginning too early.

A Senate committee on Thursday passed a measure that calls for a government study of start times, including a review of reports showing that starting later could boost academic performance.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently recommended school start times of 8:30 a.m. or later.

The measure is backed by Democratic state senator and former governor Richard Codey, who says the average start time in his district in Essex and Morris counties is 7:45 a.m.

The bill also includes a pilot program that would test later start times in some schools.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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