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California’s school start times boost 8-hour sleep 13%

9/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

California enacted Senate Bill 328 requiring middle schools to start at 8 a.m. and high schools at 8:30 a.m.
A National Bureau of Economic Research working paper found students sleeping at least eight hours rose 13% after the change.
English and math scores improved significantly from 2022 to 2025, the study reports.

History

Historical Context

Seattle Public Schools delayed start times in the 2018-19 school year, giving students about 34 minutes more sleep. The change built on 1993 calls for 8:30 a.m. starts and the 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that schools begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m. California later set an 8 a.m. floor for school attendance, encouraging statewide schedule reforms.

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Story summary

California enacted Senate Bill 328 requiring middle schools to start at 8 a.m. and high schools at 8:30 a.m.
A National Bureau of Economic Research working paper found students sleeping at least eight hours rose 13% after the change.
English and math scores improved significantly from 2022 to 2025, the study reports.

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