Because Kids Can't Stay Awake, Much Less Learn, When They're Hungry

Stop wasting money on standardized tests and throw money at the real problem.

Baltimore Sun:

For the first time in the history of the school lunch program, all children in Baltimore are created equal.

Beginning this week, every student in the city, regardless of income level, is being offered free breakfast and lunch under a federal program that allows school districts to eliminate a decades-old meal-subsidy structure for students in high-poverty schools.

Baltimore is among a handful of districts in Maryland taking advantage of the opportunity that was opened to schools nationwide last year. Maryland schools are able to adopt the program under state legislation passed this year in the General Assembly.

Del. Keith Haynes, chief sponsor of the legislation, said Tuesday during an announcement at Beechfield Elementary/Middle School that the law is the "great equalizer" for city students, closing one more gap that exists from socio-economic disparities.

"We know that nutritious, balanced meals has a direct correlation to positive outcomes for our students," said Haynes, a Baltimore Democrat. "And we know not everyone has access to that."