MADISON - About two of every five school-aged children in Wisconsin are eligible for federally-subsidized meals, as the number of children who fall into that category climbed statewide.
The state Department of Public Instruction says the proportion of students who qualify has jumped from about 29 percent in the 2003-2004 school year to 41 percent this year school year.
And those trends are mirrored locally, though area districts remain below the state average.
In Monroe, the number of kids who qualify has jumped 7.7 percent - from 29.9 percent in the 2009-20010 school year, compared to 37.6 percent for the current year, 2010-2011.
Albany also saw a double-digit increase - of 11 percent, from 23.8 percent to the current 34.8 percent, over the same time period. In Argyle, meanwhile, the number of qualifying students rose 4.5 percent - to 29.9 percent from 27.5 percent.
Black Hawk jumped from 42.9 percent this year, from last year's 38.4 percent, while Brodhead's rate rose from 32.6 percent to its current 37 percent.
Darlington's rate increased from 25.9 percent last year to 30.2 percent in the current year.
Cuba City's percentage climbed from 30.9 percent to 32.9 percent, while Juda's climbed 6 percent to 37.7 percent. Monticello's rate went from 23.6 percent to 29.2 percent; while Pecatonica rose from 30.2 percent last year to its current 36.4.
"Families that face economic challenges come from all parts of the state," said State Superintendent Tony Evers, in a statement.
New Glarus, with some of the lower rates overall among area districts, still saw its rate of qualifying students increase measurably, from 18.6 percent last year to its current rate of 22.7 percent.
Shullsburg also saw a marked increase, from 34.8 percent to its 44 percent of students eligible.
DPI says 95 of Wisconsin's 424 school districts now have at least half of their students receiving free or reduced-price lunches. A student would be eligible for a free lunch if his or her family has an income of about $28,000 or less for a family of four. For reduced-priced lunch, the family's income must be about $41,000 or less.
Lac du Flambeau School District in northern Wisconsin had the highest number of qualifying students with more than 90 percent receiving subsidized meals.
Evers added that poverty and hunger can have a "harsh impact" on student learning, and that he fears proposed state cuts in aid to schools will only weaken educators' ability to address the needs of low-income students.
-The Associated Press contributed to this report
The state Department of Public Instruction says the proportion of students who qualify has jumped from about 29 percent in the 2003-2004 school year to 41 percent this year school year.
And those trends are mirrored locally, though area districts remain below the state average.
In Monroe, the number of kids who qualify has jumped 7.7 percent - from 29.9 percent in the 2009-20010 school year, compared to 37.6 percent for the current year, 2010-2011.
Albany also saw a double-digit increase - of 11 percent, from 23.8 percent to the current 34.8 percent, over the same time period. In Argyle, meanwhile, the number of qualifying students rose 4.5 percent - to 29.9 percent from 27.5 percent.
Black Hawk jumped from 42.9 percent this year, from last year's 38.4 percent, while Brodhead's rate rose from 32.6 percent to its current 37 percent.
Darlington's rate increased from 25.9 percent last year to 30.2 percent in the current year.
Cuba City's percentage climbed from 30.9 percent to 32.9 percent, while Juda's climbed 6 percent to 37.7 percent. Monticello's rate went from 23.6 percent to 29.2 percent; while Pecatonica rose from 30.2 percent last year to its current 36.4.
"Families that face economic challenges come from all parts of the state," said State Superintendent Tony Evers, in a statement.
New Glarus, with some of the lower rates overall among area districts, still saw its rate of qualifying students increase measurably, from 18.6 percent last year to its current rate of 22.7 percent.
Shullsburg also saw a marked increase, from 34.8 percent to its 44 percent of students eligible.
DPI says 95 of Wisconsin's 424 school districts now have at least half of their students receiving free or reduced-price lunches. A student would be eligible for a free lunch if his or her family has an income of about $28,000 or less for a family of four. For reduced-priced lunch, the family's income must be about $41,000 or less.
Lac du Flambeau School District in northern Wisconsin had the highest number of qualifying students with more than 90 percent receiving subsidized meals.
Evers added that poverty and hunger can have a "harsh impact" on student learning, and that he fears proposed state cuts in aid to schools will only weaken educators' ability to address the needs of low-income students.
-The Associated Press contributed to this report