Study of Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program

Decision Information Resources. Provides descriptive information on the use of direct certification for free school meals. Finds that nearly two-thirds of districts, enrolling nearly three-fourths of students nationwide, use direct certification. Estimates that the implementation of direct certification in a district leads to a moderate increase in the percentage of students who become certified to receive free meals and a small increase in the percentage of students who eat free school lunches on a given day.