Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan has challenged all superintendents to increase school breakfast participation in their districts by 50%. The 2007-2008 School Breakfast Program Average Daily Participation

(ADP) will be compared to the 2008-2009 ADP for all school districts. The Michigan Department of Education will announce the winner of the challenge during the 2009-2010 school year. Research shows that students who eat breakfast score better on standardized tests, improve academic achievement, have fewer health issues, and behave better in class. According to the Michigan Department of Education Pupil Accounting Manual , local school districts can provide breakfast to students during the first class period and count this time toward the minimum instructional hour requirement if pupils and certificated teachers are present and engaged in instruction. For more information, see the Michigan School Breakfast memo.