Free Meals for All: the Effects of Tennessee’s Community Eligibility Provision on Student Non-Academic Outcomes

Abstract

In 2014–2015, Tennessee implemented the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), allowing schools with larger percentages of low-income students to expand free meals to all students, regardless of household income level. We use statewide student-level data in a difference-in-differences framework to evaluate the CEP program.

Key Findings

1. CEP reduced the extensive margin of suspensions and expulsions statewide.
2. It takes two years for effects on disciplinary infractions and on-time grade progression to manifest, with those effects continuing into year three.
3. Results are driven by rural and urban schools.

Suggested Citation

Kho, A., & Hunter, S. (2025). Free meals for all: the effects of Tennessee’s community eligibility provision on student non-academic outcomes. Educational Studies, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2025.2452619