Hunger & Nutrition Affect Learning

The ETS report on factors influencing student learning lists Hunger & Nutrition as one of the factors school can do little to control. The technical term appears to be “food-insecure households.


Two interesting facets of this matter are revealed in these quotes: “Experimental studies with control groups found that children given vitamin and mineral supplements had test score gains that exceeded those of the control group. (Ulric Neisser, et al., “Intelligence Knowns and Unknowns,” The American Psychologist, 51, 77 – 101 (cited in Richard Rothstein, Out of Balance: An Understanding of How Schools Affect Society and How Society Affects Schools, Spencer Foundation, 2002).)


“Poor children given a free breakfast at school gained about three percentile points on standard- ized test scores and had improved attendance compared with children who were eligible but did not participate.40” (Alan F. Meyers, et al., “School Breakfast and School Performance,” The American Journal of Diseases of Children, 143 1237.)


Also, they report on the percentage of children, ages 0-17, in “Food-Insecure Households” by ethnic group in 1999 and 2005: White = 11% in 1999 and 12.2% in 2005 Black = 28.6% & 29.2% Hispanic = 29.2% & 23/7%


Reporting on poverty status uses a scale I’ve not seen before and will attempt to convey. Poverty ratio of 1 = poverty; greater ration means worse condition, et. 1.99 & above 2.0 Under 1 = 44% in 1999 & 42.5% in 2005 1-1.99 = 23.4% & 26.4% Above 2.0 = 5.2% & 6% Source: Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, ChildStats.gov, Table Econ3.A, downloaded 11/21/2007.


Only two facets show signs of improvement, Hispanics and the under 1 poverty group. The rest show disturbing increases.


It should be noted here that eligibility for free or reduced lunch is a statistic that is mandated in report requirements. It is, therefore, readily available to be used for statistical analysis. While schools can provide free and reduced cost breakfasts and lunches, this funding is very unreliable.


It may be appropriate to begin considering funding these programs as part of an endeavor to improve education in schools with high poverty rates.