Alabama should do more to equip schoolchildren and teachers for success. Our state consistently ranks among the bottom five states for educational outcomes. And one essential school supply missing from several Alabama schools would immensely improve said outcomes: universal school breakfast. Below are a few of the positive effects that universal school breakfast would have for children across Alabama.

Reduce child hunger across our state. In Alabama, 23% of school-age children are food insecure, with a disparate impact among children of color. Universal school breakfast could guarantee a morning meal for all Alabama children during their required school day.

Address chronic absenteeism. In recent years, nearly 1 in 5 Alabama children have been chronically absent, with 53% of Alabama schools experiencing some form of high to chronic absenteeism. Decades of research has shown that students who participate in school breakfast see improved attendance and decreased tardiness, according to the Food Research and Action Center. 

Improve adolescent mental health. Young adults who reported experiencing food insecurity during childhood also reported greater psychological distress in adulthood, according to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.

Improve standardized testing and math scores. Alabama ranks 46th in average math ACT scores. Student academic achievement increases, especially for math, when accessible breakfasts are made available to school-age children.

Reduce the long-term cost of closing the health coverage gap. Given the chronic health conditions associated with hunger, like diabetes and heart disease to name a few, a state subsidy for universal school breakfast is a form of preventative care that could have a long-term impact on the projected cost of closing the coverage gap in Alabama.

Alleviate behavioral problems. The behavioral effects of hunger include impulsivity, hyperactivity, irritability, aggression, anxiety and a greater propensity to using rewarding narcotics, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health. Reducing hunger would reduce these behaviors.

Aid Alabama’s teachers in regulating their classrooms. Attrition rates among teachers have surged nationwide and statewide in recent years. Teachers spend roughly $300 per year of their own money to feed hungry students in their classrooms.

Address educator attrition rates. Nearly 40% of teachers who left the profession said they had better material support in their current roles when compared to teaching, according to a survey conducted by the Institute of Education Sciences. Universal school breakfast is a simple but powerful way to provide material support for Alabama’s teachers and students.

For questions regarding the implementation, impact and general importance of universal school breakfast, please contact Alabama Arise’s LaTrell Clifford Wood at latrell@alarise.org or Carol Gundlach at carol@alarise.org.