United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) and United Way Worldwide (UWW) have teamed up to launch an initiative to help support the implementation of higher standards in the public schools of southeast Louisiana. Working in collaboration with education, business, and community leaders, UWSELA’s Greater Expectations initiative focuses on supporting families and schools to help ensure that K-12 students are better prepared for life and work.
UWSELA serves Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes. UWSELA believes quality education is essential to a successful future for children, their families and Louisiana.
“I am the proud father of two sons in public school. My wife and I are working parents who had the benefit of a good education. United Way wants the same for all children,” said Michael Williamson, President and CEO of UWSELA. “This is a tremendous opportunity for community partners throughout our region to come together and determine how we can better support educators and students in the continuing implementation of higher standards.”
UWSELA has launched a new website, www.louisianastandards.org, to make resources easily available to parents digitally and across social media. UWSELA is also partnering with Education’s Next Horizon, a statewide education support group, to launch a community survey and to conduct community conversations with parents and educators to determine additional ways in which community partners can help students to succeed. The community conversations will be held over the coming months. The survey can be taken at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/39XFHZF or at www.louisianastandards.org.
UWSELA is also teaming with community organizations and education advocates across the state to share online resources that the Louisiana Department of Education has developed to help families and educators to better understand the forthcoming PARCC student reports.
“Our students are just as smart and capable as any in America. We've been working for five years to teach them to the highest standards in our country,” said State Superintendent of Education John White. “These resources offer families a simple and clear look at how best to provide additional support in the classroom and at home for our children to be successful.”
For more information, please contact Charmaine Caccioppi at charmainec@unitedwaysela.org.