Evaluation research on the PL-480 Title II school feeding program in Haiti

480 Title II school feeding program in Haiti. Final evaluation covers the period 1978-82 and is based on results of two sample surveys in which a longitudinal research methodology (described in detail) was tested to assess the program's effectiveness and impact. Results showed that the neediest children and schools were not deliberately being targeted (i.e., by measuring and weighing) for inclusion in the program, and that rations tended to be diluted; 53% of the schools fed more children than were programmed. However, ration size was large enough to compensate for the overfeeding; children still received the intended 1/3 of the recommended daily allowance of calories. Evidence was mixed as to whether commodities were substituting for meals or, as intended, supplementing them. Food preparation/serving/storage facilities were inadequate, but requiring improvement might keep the poorest schools from participating. Local contributions were minimal and children were generally required, above and beyond program guidelines, to pay a small fee to defray program costs. Recordkeeping was incomplete and inaccurate. Finally, the program is not being run efficiently by participating schools. Some 17% of commodities were being used to subsidize program operating costs, a figure which appears to be excessive in view of the fact that a majority of participants do pay fees. Individual schools which seem to be the major contributors to this problem have been identified. Despite these problems, longitudinal analyses indicate that children who were at risk nutritionally benefited from the program, and that those most at risk benefited most. Children attending CRS-administered school feeding programs benefited more than did those attending programs administered by other PVO's, suggesting that logistic and operational factors can be important determinants of school feeding success. No participants were worse off in their second year, despite a deteriorating socioeconomic environment; the same cannot be said of nonparticipants. Several recommendations address the deficiencies noted above. Other key recommendations are to continue the program, expand nutrition education, and examine the effects of school feeding on student performance in school.