Episode 15: Loss and Renewal

School Lunch

Maya Shankar's work in behavioral science has significantly impacted public policy, particularly in the school lunch program. By collaborating with the US Department of Agriculture, she streamlined the verification process for families, making it more accessible and efficient. This involved simplifying communication, translating materials, and offering digital submission options, which helped more students access free lunches.

We've taken a very long list of action steps required for verification and condensed them into three easy to understand steps.

--- Maya Shankar

Maya's innovative approach demonstrates the power of behavioral insights in addressing real-world challenges 1 2.

   

Summer Melt

Addressing the issue of summer melt, Maya and her team developed interventions to support college-bound students. They implemented a simple yet effective strategy of sending eight text messages over the summer, reminding students of important deadlines. This approach led to a 9% increase in college enrollment rates, showcasing the profound impact of minimal interventions.

What we found was a 9% increase in college enrollment rates as a result of eight text messages.

--- Maya Shankar

Maya's work highlights the importance of understanding human behavior to create effective solutions for educational challenges 3 4.