FEEDBACK: On early education and sales tax holidays

Early education is the key to America’s success

To the editor:

My comment referencing the subject article in Charleston Currents on July 25 by Michael Kaynard [Let’s start fixing a broken system.]

I strongly agree with Mr. Kaynard, but would like to add my two cents.  Concerning education and good jobs, I also strongly believe that we as an American society and more so, the parents need to address the problem with a child’s education at an early age.  Many research studies have shown that the overwhelming majority of children of a low socio-economic class are far behind higher economic classes on the first day of formal schooling.

The teachers and school system, supplemented by government programs then invest additional resources during a child’s educational years trying to catch them up with their other peer groups.  One just needs to look at controversial test scores where minorities are always lagging behind, and schools are graded on how well they are closing the gap with whites.  That gap never gets closed from day one through graduation.

The problem is compounded for children brought up in single parent homes of minorities and those who do not speak English as their primary language at home.  I do believe teachers by-and-large provide a quality education for all children.  No teacher wants to see a child continually fail.   But if the child begins school so far behind his or her peers, it is only going to result in continual behavioral issues.  Just look at the numbers of minority children given detention versus whites.

I firmly believe that if those at-risk children could start out nearly on the same level as whites on day one, then their ability to fully succeed with their educational and employment pursuits would be increased.  But there must be a high value placed on education in the home.

Spending money early in a child’s development would be far more beneficial, in my opinion, than throwing money at a bunch of programs during their 12 or 13 years of schooling in an effort to continually try to close the educational gap.  Imagine if all children entered their first day of school with an almost equal level of education and desire for learning.  I don’t have the answers (but I have thoughts) on how to achieve that goal since many smarter people than I have put forth recommendations.

—  George Graf, Palmyra, Va.  (P.S.  Michael and his wife are great photographers!!)

Sales tax holiday not a good idea

To the editor:

Please allow me to express my complete agreement with and approval of your article published today (“Sales tax holiday gimmick is here again”).

I don’t think you’ll find anybody who has ever had anything to do with State budget work who truthfully thinks the “holiday” is a good idea.

— Dale M. Rhodes, Richmond, Va.

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