Study: Growing number of kids ‘too hungry to learn’
By Rebecca Klein, Huffington Post
The vast majority of teachers and principals routinely see students that are “too hungry to learn,” according to a report released Tuesday by the No Kid Hungry organization.
The organization, which works to end child hunger, surveyed more than 1,000 teachers and principals around the country for the report, according to a press release. The results show that 73 percent of teachers said they regularly instruct hungry students who don’t have enough to eat at home, and 87 percent of principals said they consistently see hungry students in school. As a result of such pervasive hunger, teachers spend nearly $40 a month buying food for kids out of pocket, the survey found.
The results represent an increase since last August, when the organization found that 3 out of 5 teachers had students who regularly came to school hungry. Christy Felling, No Kid Hungry public relations director, told the Huffington Post that there are several potential reasons for the uptick in hunger.
“I think what has happened is the so-called economic recovery hasn’t really reached low-income people. People are still really having a tough time, and that’s what we’re seeing,” Felling said in a phone interview. “We’ve seen it anecdotally with some of our campaigns around the country. People still haven’t gone back to work, or they’ve blown through savings.”
Parental neglect.
Between SNAP, WIC, regular welfare, Section 8 housing, unemployment benefits, free breakfasts and lunches at public schools, there is no excuse for parents to not be feeding their children.
Oh, I forgot. Mani/Pedi’s are expensive.
You KNOW you’ve seen it.
I do not believe these are healthy kids. Fat kids that eat all day? Hungry because the government regulated School lunch does not provide enough?
70% BS all day long
that is saying that 70% of families with school age Children are not providing for there children.
And that is a no way Jose.
OK
EDIT I will leave the above rant, but I guess it is saying 70% of Teachers see (A) Student who is hungry on a regular basis. that is sad but i guess possible.
A kid who has been sent to school without Breakfast or maybe even a good dinner the night before?
I suspect would have a shopping list of reasons to affect there learning ability.
There are many kids that go hungry and its a very, very sad situation, even here in SLT. I provided backpacks of food and a book on Fridays last year to students that had been classified as “homeless.” This year I’m expanding as the need is great (especially on days they don’t have school breakfast and lunch). There are programs that these families could qualify for perhaps but there are many variables in place that you and I don’t know, and until we’re in their shoes we won’t understand.
Just remember it is not the kid’s fault. The kids need compassion and understanding and the best tools possible to make it to graduation and a prosperous life. The food we provide on weekends is something the kids can use for meals and they don’t need an adult to cook it or prepare it.
MTT you have no idea about hunger and how the kids that do not have enough food are affected. all you want to do is rag on some kind of government hand outthat you oppose, but for kids its a hand up (they are still kids and not into your political bs issues). IF you really want to make a difference than maybe volunteer at a school in the lunch room and see what the school lunch program can do for kids. Try doing something positive for your community besides just the rag you usually spew…