The FRAC scorecard also found that a record number of schools that offered free and reduced-price lunch programs, 75.9 percent also serve school breakfast. Although there were wide variations between states, for every 100 children receiving free or reduced-price lunch, on average 42.8 percent of children also received school breakfasts. The center estimates that if the states falling short were to perform at the average level of the states serving low-income children the best, the School Breakfast program would feed approximately another 1.9 million children.

Research has shown the positive effects that eating breakfast has on children, both nutritionally and academically. For example, Boston Medical Center found that children who participated in the School Breakfast Program scored higher on achievement tests and had lower rates of tardiness and absenteeism than students who did not participate in the program. In addition, the Harvard Medical Center researchers reported that children who participate in school breakfast also showed improvement psychosocially.

"No amount of educational investment can make a hungry child learn," said Shirley Igo, National PTA president. "National PTA supports legislation to sustain and improve federal child nutrition programs, including universal breakfast programs. The educational benefits of participating in school breakfast programs are clear. Children taking part in universal school breakfast programs demonstrate better emotional health, attendance, classroom behavior, and test scores."

The Food Research and Action Center recommends that states expand breakfast participation by providing more financial support for the programs, requiring that districts and schools offer breakfast, conduct outreach campaigns and efforts to lower barriers to the program, and undo the stigma attached to receiving free breakfast by supporting a universal lunch program where all students eat free.

For additional information regarding the FRAC School Breakfast Scorecard visit http://www.frac.org/html/news/112701.html

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