Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development

Committee Director

Steven Myran

Committee Member

Judith Dunkerly

Committee Member

Michelle Porter

Abstract

This study examined how educators and families perceive and experience the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and its influence on student attendance, engagement, well-being, and school climate within one public school division. While prior research has established quantitative links between universal meal programs and academic outcomes, limited research has explored how stakeholders interpret and experience these effects in practice. Addressing this gap, this study employed a convergent mixed-methods design, integrating archival attendance data, surveys, and semi-structured interviews with principals, assistant principals, teachers and families. Quantitative findings revealed modest but inconsistent changes in absenteeism following the CEP implementation, while qualitative findings provided deeper insight into the mechanisms underlying these patterns. Across stakeholder groups, CEP was consistently perceived as a foundational support that improves daily routines, reduces hunger, and enhances students’ capacity to focus and participate in learning. Participants emphasized that access to free meals alleviates financial and logistical stress for families, fosters a greater sense of belonging among students, and reduces stigma associated with socioeconomic status. Grounded in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, this study reinforces the idea that individuals are best positioned to reach their full potential when foundational needs are consistently met. However, these needs do not operate in isolation or within a strictly linear progression. Instead, they function in a reciprocal and interconnected manner: supporting our students benefits families; strengthening families contributes to healthier communities; and stable communities, in turn, support future generations.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25777/02TE-6659

ISBN

9798197810373

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