Access to the School Breakfast Program Associated with Higher Attendance and Test Scores

Criteria:  clear results and huge sample size of study, striking educational impact for students from low-income families, though beneficial for all students

Key Takeaway: This nutrition study emphasizes the positive impact of the School Breakfast Program (SBP) on academic outcomes, particularly for low-income students. Providing access to nutritious breakfasts can lead to higher attendance rates and test scores, making it crucial for schools and districts to consider implementing or expanding breakfast programs to support students’ success in the classroom.

Summation and Insights:   Imagine a child waking up on a Monday morning who gets dressed and rushes to school without breakfast. This scenario is a reality for many students across the United States, particularly those from low-income families. With an empty stomach, it can be challenging for these students to focus and perform well in school. This nutrition study highlights the fact that the School Breakfast Program (SBP) can provide a solution to this problem.  

Researchers from a large urban school district in the Midwestern United States aimed to investigate the association between access to the school breakfast program and elementary school students’ attendance and test scores. They analyzed attendance and test score data for over 4,000 elementary school students who participated in the school breakfast program and over 12,000 elementary school students who did not participate in the program. The study took into account factors such as student demographics, school characteristics, and prior academic performance, and yet consistently found that students who had access to school breakfast had higher attendance rates and test scores.  

Specifically, the study found that students who had access to the school breakfast program had a 1.5% higher attendance rate compared to students who did not have access to the program. Additionally, students who had access to the program had higher test scores in both math and reading compared to students who did not have access to the program.  The researchers also found that the positive effects of the school breakfast program were greater for students who were eligible for free or reduced-price meals. These students had a 2.1% higher attendance rate and higher test scores in math and reading compared to their peers who did not have access to the program.

These findings are significant because they suggest that access to the school breakfast program is associated with improved academic outcomes for elementary school students, particularly those from low-income families. This finding is crucial to take into account, as it is often low-income students who do not have access to nutritious breakfasts at home.

Schools and districts that do not currently offer a breakfast program may want to consider implementing one, especially if they have a high proportion of students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. By providing a nutritious breakfast to students who may not have access to one at home, schools can help improve attendance rates and academic performance.  Additionally, schools and districts that currently offer a breakfast program may want to consider expanding the program to reach more students or promoting outreach efforts.  Universal free breakfast (UFB) is also a potential option, and one that can help resist any stigmas that may emerge about the program.  By implementing or expanding school breakfast programs, schools and districts can help ensure that all students have access to nutritious meals that can support their academic success. With a full stomach, many students will improve their academic outcomes and be able to reach their full potential in the classroom.

Year:  2019

Author: Bartfeld, J., Berger, L., Men, F., and Chen, Y.

Primary Author:  Judi Bartfeld,  https://humanecology.wisc.edu/staff/bartfeld-judi/
Resource:   https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/149/2/336/5305911