What does this measure?

The number of students eligible for free school lunches as a percentage of all students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. Students are eligible for free lunch if their family's income is at or below 130% of the national poverty level.

Why is this important?

This measure not only shows the proportion of low-income students and families in an area, it is also an indication of the potential challenges facing schools as they work to educate children who have fewer resources.

How is the Greater Capital Region performing?

In 2007, 19% of students in the Greater Capital Region were eligible for free or reduced price lunch. This was less than the state's rate of 22%, which excludes New York City. The region was consistently slightly below the state level because of low proportions in Saratoga County. The other regional counties were close to state levels. The proportion of eligible students remained virtually unchanged from 1999 to 2007 for both the state and the region.

Notes about the data

Not all students who are eligible for free or reduced priced lunch participate in the program. State figures exclude New York City schools because city data were not reliable.