Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- eligible /EL-i-juh-buhl/
- transaction /tran-SAK-shuhn/
- disproportionately /dis-pruh-PAWR-shuh-nit-lee/
- monopolistic /muh-naa-puh-LI-stuhk/
- empower /em-POU-er/
[adjective] – having the necessary qualities or satisfying the necessary conditions
Only students who score above 80% are eligible for scholarships.
[noun] – an occasion when money is exchanged or payments are made
The store provides a receipt for every transaction to help customers track their expenses.
[adverb] – in a way that is too large or too small in comparison to something else
The rule disproportionately favors older students over younger ones.
[adjective] – controlling or trying to control a market to the exclusion of others
The company’s monopolistic practices led to an investigation by government regulators.
[verb] – to give someone the authority or power to do something
The training program aims to empower employees to take on leadership roles.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced a transformative policy to eliminate transaction fees for students eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. Starting from the 2027-2028 academic year, families benefiting from these programs will no longer face additional costs when using cashless payment systems. This decision, aimed at alleviating the financial burden on households earning up to 185% of the federal poverty level, impacts families with annual incomes up to $57,720 for a household of four. Current payment systems impose fees ranging from $3.25 to 5% per transaction, which disproportionately affect low-income families, making meal payments significantly more expensive than the federally subsidized rates of 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) underscored that families often spend up to 60% of their payment in fees, further amplifying economic challenges for disadvantaged households.
This policy addresses the monopolistic practices within the payment processing industry, where companies like MySchoolBucks, SchoolCafe, and LINQ Connect dominate, limiting alternatives for families. The USDA estimates that 87% of major school districts currently contract with such providers, resulting in average fees of $2.37 per transaction. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack described the initiative as a critical measure in ensuring equitable access to nutritious meals and progressing toward universal free school meal programs. The USDA also aims to empower districts to negotiate better terms or adopt fee-free payment solutions. This regulation represents a significant stride in promoting financial equity and enabling low-income students to fully benefit from meal assistance programs without additional economic barriers.
This policy addresses the monopolistic practices within the payment processing industry, where companies like MySchoolBucks, SchoolCafe, and LINQ Connect dominate, limiting alternatives for families. The USDA estimates that 87% of major school districts currently contract with such providers, resulting in average fees of $2.37 per transaction. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack described the initiative as a critical measure in ensuring equitable access to nutritious meals and progressing toward universal free school meal programs. The USDA also aims to empower districts to negotiate better terms or adopt fee-free payment solutions. This regulation represents a significant stride in promoting financial equity and enabling low-income students to fully benefit from meal assistance programs without additional economic barriers.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you or someone you know faced extra charges for school-related services? If so, what was the impact? If not, how do you think such fees might affect families?
- Have you heard of any programs that helped families reduce their expenses? If so, what were they? If not, what kind of programs would help families the most?
- Do you agree that eliminating fees will make school meal programs more accessible for low-income families?
- What could be done to encourage competition in the payment processing industry for schools?
- How can schools ensure that meal programs remain sustainable while eliminating additional costs?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- burden
- address
- practice
- alternative
- negotiate