1. Evaluation of the School Breakfast Program Pilot Project: Findings from the First Year of Implementation. Nutrition Assistance Program Report Series.
- Author
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Food and Nutrition Service (USDA), Alexandria, VA. Office of Analysis and Evaluation., McLaughlin, Joan E., Bernstein, Lawrence S., Crepinsek, May Kay, Daft, Lynn M., and Murphy, J. Michael
- Abstract
In 1998, Congress authorized implementation of a 3-year pilot breakfast program involving 4,300 students in elementary schools in 6 school districts representing a range of economic and demographic characteristics. The program began in the 2000-01 school year. This lengthy report presents the findings from the pilot's first year. The study had two main objectives: (1) to assess the effects of the availability of universal free school breakfast on breakfast participation and selected student outcome measures, including dietary intake, cognitive and social/emotional functioning, academic achievement tests, school attendance, tardiness, classroom behavior, food insecurity, and health; and (2) to document the methods used by schools to implement universal free school breakfast and determine the effect of participation in this program on administrative requirements and costs. Students were measured on dietary intake, cognitive functions, and height and weight. Following are some of the key findings: Food energy, protein, and vitamin and mineral intakes of most students in treatment and control groups met the standards for dietary adequacy; there was no difference in math and reading score gains across all grades between treatment and control groups; and increased breakfast participation resulted in lower per-meal labor costs in treatment schools. (WFA)
- Published
- 2002