Breaking the Early Bell: Lessons from the First Statewide Mandate on School Start Times

Jialu Dou, Rania Gihleb (), Osea Giuntella () and Jakub Lonsky ()
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Jialu Dou: University of Pittsburgh
Rania Gihleb: University of Pittsburgh
Osea Giuntella: University of Pittsburgh
Jakub Lonsky: University of Edinburgh

No 17930, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This study evaluates the impact of California’s SB 328, the first statewide mandate delaying school start times for middle and high schools, on adolescent sleep, mental health, and academic outcomes. Using YRBS, ATUS, SEDA, and SAT data, we apply difference-in-differences and matched DID methods. SB 328 led to significant improvements in sleep duration and academic performance. We find suggestive mental health benefits, though estimates are imprecise, and substantial heterogeneity in effects, with stronger gains among boys and Hispanic students across both sleep and academic outcomes.

Keywords: Mental Health; Sleep; School Start Times; Academic Achievement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 I20 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-05
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