Ruth Valladares, a Bronx parent with a 5-year-old autistic son starting first grade, emphasizes that parents are responsible for preparing their children for school, regardless of challenges like COVID-19. She believes her son, Tayden, is well-prepared, having learned basic tasks and skills through preschool and parental involvement. Valladares criticizes the use of COVID-19 as an excuse for underperformance and stresses the importance of parental support in early education. State Assembly Education Committee Chairman Michael Benedetto concurs, highlighting that while additional pre-kindergarten programs can help, parental involvement remains crucial, noting that a significant portion of learning occurs at home.
