Free Meals for All: The Effects of Tennessee's Community Eligibility Provision on Student Non-Academic Outcomes
Saved in:
| Title: | Free Meals for All: The Effects of Tennessee's Community Eligibility Provision on Student Non-Academic Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Adam Kho (ORCID |
| Source: | Educational Studies. 2026 52(2):129-147. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 19 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Elementary Secondary Education High Schools Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Lunch Programs, Low Income Students, Educational Policy, Attendance, Suspension, Expulsion, Student Promotion, Eligibility, Elementary Secondary Education, High School Graduates, Rural Schools, Suburban Schools, Urban Schools, Outcomes of Education, Breakfast Programs |
| Geographic Terms: | Tennessee |
| DOI: | 10.1080/03055698.2025.2452619 |
| ISSN: | 0305-5698 1465-3400 |
| Abstract: | In 2014-2015, Tennessee implemented the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), allowing schools with larger percentages of low-income students to expand free meals to all students, regardless of household income level. Using statewide student-level data in a difference-in-differences framework, we find that CEP reduced the extensive margin of suspensions and expulsions statewide. Further, we show that it takes two years for effects on disciplinary infractions and on-time grade progression to manifest, with those effects continuing into year 3. Results are driven by rural and urban schools. Our findings are particularly salient as federal and state governments consider expanding free school meal programs. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1503200 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | In 2014-2015, Tennessee implemented the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), allowing schools with larger percentages of low-income students to expand free meals to all students, regardless of household income level. Using statewide student-level data in a difference-in-differences framework, we find that CEP reduced the extensive margin of suspensions and expulsions statewide. Further, we show that it takes two years for effects on disciplinary infractions and on-time grade progression to manifest, with those effects continuing into year 3. Results are driven by rural and urban schools. Our findings are particularly salient as federal and state governments consider expanding free school meal programs. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0305-5698 1465-3400 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/03055698.2025.2452619 |
