Schwartz, Rothbart study ties free school lunch to higher test scores

May 2, 2020

Let Them Eat Lunch: The Impact of Universal Free Meals on Student Performance

Amy Ellen Schwartz & Micah W. Rothbart

Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, November 2019

Amy Ellen Schwartz

Michah W. Rothbart

Economics Department

Public Administration & International Affairs Department

Center for Policy Research

Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs

Education

Nutrition

State & Local

Journal of Policy Analysis and Management

Amy Ellen Schwartz

Michah W. Rothbart

"Let Them Eat Lunch: The Impact of Universal Free Meals on Student Performance," co-authored by Amy Ellen Schwartz, Daniel Patrick Moynihan Chair in Public Affairs, and Michah Rothbart, assistant professor of public administration and international affairs, was published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management. Schwartz and Rothbart show that extending free lunch to all students, regardless of income, increases academic performance in New York City middle schools.

Schwartz discussed the study on JPAM's podcast Closer Look.

Originally posted on 11/06/19. Updated on 05/01/20 to include podcast link.