This literature review is intended to provide an overview of the current research literature on the effects of early secondary school start times on student outcomes and to help inform decisions regarding options for future Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) start times. Even though research shows that getting sufficient sleep is critical for all students, sleep deprivation is prevalent among American adolescents. Early school start times are one of the primary hurdles secondary students face to getting enough sleep. As states and districts across the country deliberate adjusting school start times, current research suggests that pushing back secondary school start times (i.e., starting later) is an effective counter measure to combat sleep deprivation and to positively impact students' sleep patterns, physical and mental health, safety, and academic outcomes.