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Universal Access to Free School Meals and Student Achievement: Evidence from the Community Eligibility Provision

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  • Krista Ruffini

Abstract

The school meals program is the largest nutritional assistance program for school-aged children. Whereas program eligibility historically was determined by family income, recent reforms allow schools to offer free meals to all students. This work evaluates the effect of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), the largest school-wide free meals program, on academic performance. I leverage within- and across-state variation in the timing of CEP participation and find universal free meals increases breakfast and lunch participation by 38 and 12 percent, respectively. Math performance improves in districts with baseline low free meal eligibility, particularly among racial/ethnic groups with low income-based participation rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Krista Ruffini, 2022. "Universal Access to Free School Meals and Student Achievement: Evidence from the Community Eligibility Provision," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 57(3), pages 776-820.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:57:y:2022:i:3:p:776-820
    Note: DOI: 10.3368/jhr.57.3.0518-9509R3
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    File URL: http://jhr.uwpress.org/cgi/reprint/57/3/776
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kashyap, Pratyoosh & Jablonski, Becca B. R., 2023. "Diffusion of Universal Free School Meals in the United States: Examining Factors Influencing Adoption of Community Eligibility Provision," 2023 Annual Meeting, July 23-25, Washington D.C. 335700, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    2. Davis, Will & Kreisman, Daniel & Musaddiq, Tareena, 2023. "The Effect of Universal Free School Meals on Child BMI," IZA Discussion Papers 16387, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Joseph Owuondo, 2023. "Influence of State on Education, Innovation, and Industry Development: State of California Policy Impact Analysis," International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), vol. 10(10), pages 107-114, October.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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