For some families, higher grocery costs, limited access to food assistance programs combined with unpredictable work hours and incomes make it difficult to ensure their children head out the door with a healthy breakfast. When students arrive at school hungry, their ability to concentrate and f ully engage in learning is affected before the first bell even rings. There is no curriculum effective enough to penetrate the mind of a hungry child. Educators and school staff see this every morning. They welcome students who are capable and eager to learn, but struggle to maintain focus or understand complicated subject matter because they have not eaten yet. This is not a question of effort or motivation. It is a reminder that children cannot meet academic expectations if their basic needs are not met. Research has long shown that a dependable healthy breakfast improves student attention, reduces behavior issues, and supports stronger academic outcomes. Schools often see a rise in mid-morning behavior issues and trips to the school nurse when students have not eaten since the night before. Families feel the effects too. When breakfast is available at school, mornings run more smoothly, household budgets stretch a little further, and children walk into their classrooms ready to participate. These are the realities behind Gov. Ned Lamont’s proposal to create a universal free breakfast program for all public school students. His budget sets aside $12 million to provide breakfast at no cost to families. It also includes funding to ensure that students who currently qualify for reduced-price lunch can eat for free. The result would be meaningful relief for families and access to nutritious meals for over 164,000 additional children. If adopted, Connecticut would join nine other states that already provide free breakfast to all public school students. This step levels the playing field for all students and reflects our commitment to strong, inclusive learning environments. Universal access to breakfast at the start of the school day is not simply a matter of addressing hunger, it is a foundation for learning and long-term health and academic success. Providing a healthy breakfast to all students encourages all students to participate, creating a sense of community at the start of the school day. Universal access also helps reduce the stigma students can feel when only some children receive free meals. When breakfast is available to everyone, participation increases and students feel more comfortable accessing the nutrition they need. We understand that policymakers face difficult choices as they work to balance the state budget. This investment is modest compared to the benefits it delivers. Stronger student performance, improved attendance, reduced stress and financial burden for families, all contribute to a healthier future for our state. Connecticut has the opportunity to take a powerful step that will make a real difference for children. The research overwhelmingly shows that eating breakfast improves attendance, concentration, alertness, comprehension, and behavior; results in fewer mistakes; results in better performance on standardized tests; increases math and reading scores; and improves speed and memory on cognitive tests. With Governor Lamont, we remain committed to ensuring every student has the support they need to succeed. Providing breakfast at no cost to Connecticut families for all public school students honors that commitment and strengthens the path toward a brighter future for every child. Susan Bysiewicz is the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut and Charlene Russell-Tucker is the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Education. ...read more read less