Approximately what percentage of Alabama public school children are on the free and reduced lunch program?

• A. 30%
• B. 60%
• C. 75%
• D. 90%

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that the free and reduced-price lunch program serves as a proxy for the economic need among students. Eligibility is based on family income relative to federal poverty levels, so the percentage of students in a district or state who participate reflects how many children come from low- or modest-income households.

In Alabama, about six in ten public school children qualify for this program, which is why approximately 60% is the best rough estimate among the options. The other numbers would imply notably lower or higher concentrations of low-income families than is typical for the state.

Keep in mind that participation isn’t a perfect measure of poverty—some eligible families don’t apply, and some districts have different enrollment patterns—so this percentage is an approximate indicator, not an exact poverty rate.