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School breakfast and young children’s absenteeism: Does meal location matter?

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  • Gottfried, Michael A.
  • Kirksey, Jacob

Abstract

Of all years of elementary school, kindergartners and first graders are disproportionately absent. To address this, there is a growing effort among both research and policy communities to identify and develop which school resources might be leveraged to improve absenteeism. This study contributes in this domain, by examining whether serving school breakfast in the classroom (as opposed to elsewhere at school) might be linked to better attendance outcomes for students in both kindergarten and first grade. Using nationally representative data (Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Kindergarten Class of 2010–11) and controlling for unobserved confounding individual-level factors, our study finds that when schools moved breakfast into the classroom (from the cafeteria, for instance), children had fewer days absent as well as a decrease in the likelihood of being chronically absent. The results were not differentiated by specific student or school characteristics, thereby suggesting a generalizability across all students in the sample. These findings should motivate a policy conversation around ways to best leverage and change existing school settings to reduce children’s absenteeism.

Suggested Citation

  • Gottfried, Michael A. & Kirksey, Jacob, 2022. "School breakfast and young children’s absenteeism: Does meal location matter?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:143:y:2022:i:c:s0190740922003127
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106676
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Sean P. Corcoran & Brian Elbel & Amy Ellen Schwartz, 2016. "The Effect of Breakfast in the Classroom on Obesity and Academic Performance: Evidence from New York City," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(3), pages 509-532, June.
    5. Leos-Urbel, Jacob & Schwartz, Amy Ellen & Weinstein, Meryle & Corcoran, Sean, 2013. "Not just for poor kids: The impact of universal free school breakfast on meal participation and student outcomes," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 88-107.
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