Examining the Impact of Expanded School Meal Programs on Student Attendance

• In Event: 51.078 - MTCC Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: 51.078-6 - Structural Inequalities in Schools

Abstract

About 13 million US children experience food insecurity, meaning they do not have consistent access to nutritious meals. Food insecurity is associated with poor academic outcomes, and schools are in a unique position to provide meals to students who may otherwise go without. I investigate the relationship between student attendance and expanded free school breakfast and lunch in Illinois using a difference-in-differences ordinary least squares regression and instrumental variable estimation. Findings indicate that both program eligibility and participation are associated with higher overall attendance. These are promising results regarding the relationship between school meals and student attendance.

Author

• Jennifer Timmer, Vanderbilt University