The Effect of School Breakfast on Student Behavior: An Evaluation of Breakfast After the Bell

Abstract

Delivering breakfast after the bell (BAB) is one way to increase participation in the National School Breakfast Program. Anecdotal evidence indicates that behavior improves after schools adopt BAB. We analyze a sample of nearly 30,000 pre-teen to early-adolescent schoolchildren in Arkansas who were cited for one or more disciplinary infractions. Using a difference-indifferences strategy, we find that the incidence of infractions drops markedly after schools adopt BAB. The impact of BAB adoption was most pronounced among lower-income students and girls. The potential for behavioral improvements is an important dimension that should be considered in a school’s decision to adopt BAB.