Later Daily High School Start Times Will Boost National Economy

The authors of a newly released study by RAND Corporation presented preliminary findings at the April school start time conference in DC. In the study, they quantify the benefits in 47 states including Texas. The report says: "The present study investigates the economic implications of later SST by examining a policy experiment of a statewide shift in school start times to 8:30 a.m. and its subsequent economic effects. Using a novel macroeconomic modeling approach, the study estimates changes in the economic performance of 47 U.S. states following a delayed SST, which includes the economic benefits of higher academic performance of students and reduced car crash rates. The benefit–cost projections of this study suggest that delaying school start times is a cost-effective, population-level strategy that could have a significant impact on public health & the U.S. economy. "