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Weekend feeding (“BackPack”) programs and student outcomes

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  • Kurtz, Michael D.
  • Conway, Karen Smith
  • Mohr, Robert D.

Abstract

Weekend feeding (“BackPack”) programs that provide food to children have grown dramatically in recent years, yet their effects on educational outcomes have been little investigated. Our study combines administrative student data on test scores and absences in Northwest North Carolina elementary schools with primary data on program participation. School and student program eligibility criteria is used to estimate the intent-to-treat effect within a difference-in-difference-in-difference (DDD) framework. Results suggest a sizable 0.09 standard deviation improvement in reading scores, with a similar but weaker effect for math scores. These effects are strongest for the youngest and lowest performing students.

Suggested Citation

  • Kurtz, Michael D. & Conway, Karen Smith & Mohr, Robert D., 2020. "Weekend feeding (“BackPack”) programs and student outcomes," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:79:y:2020:i:c:s0272775720305264
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2020.102040
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