The article “27% of Orange kindergartners recommended to repeat year” [Recorder, April 18] echoes my concerns as a teacher regarding the academic progress of my own students. Although the pandemic has contributed to the learning gaps, I believe that the stressors my students face on a daily basis are the main culprits.
Unfortunately, many policymakers fail to recognize that the stress experienced by adults can also impact the children around them and hinder their development. For instance, if children continue to be exposed to stressful situations such as homelessness, they will struggle to learn and complete tasks. This could be detrimental to our country’s future as we rely on our youth to become our future leaders. To tackle this issue, Congress should consider implementing policies such as an expansion of the Child Tax Credit and a Renter’s Tax Credit. These policies would help provide basic needs to all Americans and improve the well-being of our children, enabling them to thrive and ultimately contribute to the betterment of our country.
Sarah Miller
University City, Missouri