Appendix B Impact Study Research Questions

Appendix B: Impact Study Research Questions

Exhibit B.1: Impact Research Questions, by Domain

School Meals Participation and Revenues

How did average daily participation in the NSLP and SBP change because of the CE Option compared to what participation would have been in the absence of the Option? (Impact on NSLP participation is confirmatory)

To what extent (if any) did the impacts of the CE Option on program participation:

Reflect changes in the number of actual participants, frequency of participation, or both for NSLP, SBP, and total meals?

Vary by grade level for NSLP, SBP, and total meals?

How did Federal revenues per reimbursable meal change because of the CE Option compared to revenues that would be generated from traditional meal reimbursement structure? (Confirmatory impact)

How did revenues from non-Federal sources, including State funds, local funds, student payments for reimbursable meals, and payments for competitive foods and adult foods, change because of the CE Option compared to revenues that would be generated from the conventional meal reimbursement structure?

How do revenues under the CE Option compare to revenues that would be generated under other special assistance alternatives (Provision 1, 2, or 3)?

How much local funding is needed compared to these other alternatives?

School Breakfast Program

How did the CE Option impact the School Breakfast Program in terms of whether schools offer breakfast and the type of breakfast service offered?

To what extent did the CE Option affect the foods served at breakfast, specifically:

Whether the identical breakfast is served to all students?

Whether and to what extent a la carte and competitive foods are offered during breakfast?

Staffing and Costs

To what extent did the administrative burden of operating the NSLP and SBP change under the CE Option?

What is the difference in administrative costs associated with the CE Option to the LEA compared to the costs in absence of the Option?

To what extent did the costs of producing reimbursable meals change under the CE Option?

Program Integrity

How did the CE Option impact program integrity, including: administrative errors associated with the certification process, and errors in meal counting by cashiers and in computing claims for reimbursement?

Meal Quality

To what extent, if any, did the nutritional profile of school meals offered change under the CE Option compared to what would have happened in the absence of the Option?

To what extent, if any, did the variety of food choices offered to students in school meals change?

To what extent, if any, did compliance with USDA-FNS nutrition standards change?

Abt Associates Appendix B ▌pg. B-1