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McDonald's offers free breakfast for Texas test takers

Students and teachers in grades third through eighth will be offered free breakfast from McDonald's on Tuesday, March 29 in preparation of the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Test.

March 25, 2016

Students and teachers in grades third through eighth will be offered free breakfast from McDonald's on Tuesday, March 29, in preparation of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR ) test. The McDonald's markets participating in the free breakfast program include the Greater Austin, Houston, North Texas, San Antonio and Waco/Temple areas, according to a company press release.

Any child who visits a participating McDonald's restaurant on March 29 with a parent or guardian will receive their choice of an Egg White Delight McMuffin sandwich (Egg McMuffin sandwich in the Greater Houston area), or fruit and maple oatmeal, apple slices, and their choice of 1 percent low-fat milk or a Minute Maid apple juice box. Teachers are also extended the free breakfast offer with proof of a valid teacher/school identification card.

"McDonald's supports communities throughout the year, but the STAAR Free Breakfast program is one that we're especially proud of," stated Jeff Smith, local McDonald's owner and chairman of the McDonald's Greater Southwest Brand Trust Committee. "Providing a free, wholesome breakfast is a way of showing students, families and teachers that McDonald's supports education and the importance of good and proper nutrition."

According to data from an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, almost 50 percent of U.S. children are not eating breakfast every day, the release stated. Research shows children who eat breakfast show improvements in math, reading and standardized test scores. The items offered for this breakfast are all 300 calories or less and registered dietitian approved.

In 2015, more than 42,000 students and teachers received a free breakfast from area McDonald's as part of this program.