California will become the first state in the United States to push back school start times to improve educational outcomes under a new law enacted on Oct. 13.

The statute, which will be phased in over the next three years, ultimately would require public middle schools in the state to start classes at 8 a.m. or later, with the morning bell in high schools pushed back to 8:30 a.m. The law does not apply to optional early classes known as “zero periods.”

A later start to the school day is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which says getting extra sleep results in better academic performance in school as well as healthier students.

Los Angeles Times, Oct. 15