While there were substantial limitations to the present study, significant differences in the students responses relative to attendance at an early start versus late start school suggest that school start time does have an effect on student's behavior and performance. Preliminary evidence supports the notion that a later school start time for high school students has at least some self-perceived benefit.
Further study is needed in order to better understand the actual effect of school start time.
In particular, student survey data needs to be verified through other data collection means such as observation or follow-alone recording. This may be most important in terms of student achievement. Not all students may experience the same benefit from late school start times. How students would choose early or late start times should be examined in terms of the desired outcome. If student achievement is the goal, the schedule selection procedure will need to provide guidance so as to assure that students are making choices with that end in mind.