NOLA-CGLR - United Way of Southeast Louisiana

About the Campaign

The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is a nationwide movement active in more than 350 communities across 46 states and beyond, united by the shared goal of ensuring children read on grade level by the end of third grade.

As part of this national effort, United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s New Orleans Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (NOLA-CGLR) works collaboratively with local leaders in government, education, business, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector to improve outcomes for children, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Through targeted strategies focused on school readiness, attendance, summer learning, and family engagement, NOLA-CGLR is helping to build a future where every young person in New Orleans is prepared to read, learn, and thrive.

Our Vision

All students in New Orleans read at grade level by the end of third grade.

We envision a future where every child in New Orleans enters fourth grade equipped with the reading skills necessary to thrive academically and socially. By mobilizing families, educators, community leaders, and local organizations, NOLA-CGLR is committed to eliminating barriers to literacy and ensuring fair access to high-quality early education, attendance support, and summer learning opportunities.

10-Year Goal

By 2027, 80% of economically disadvantaged New Orleans students are reading on grade level by the end of third grade.

This bold goal reflects our commitment to creating educational and early literacy opportunity for students. Through strategic partnerships, data-driven interventions, and community engagement, NOLA-CGLR will work to close gaps and ensure that every child, regardless of socioeconomic background, has the support needed to become a proficient reader by third grade. Achieving this milestone will lay the groundwork for improved academic outcomes, stronger communities, and a more vibrant future for New Orleans.

Our Objectives

Increase Public Awareness

Increase public awareness and build community support for the campaign

Improve School Readiness

Improve school readiness by advocating for increased funding to support high-quality early care and education for children, birth to age three, who are deemed “at-risk”

Improve Attendence and Reduce Chronic Absence

Improve attendance and reduce chronic absence by increasing knowledge, awareness, coordination, and focused action to address the community and systems-level factors that contribute to chronic absence

Improve Literacy Instruction

Improve literacy instruction across settings for children, birth to eight, building on the work of the Louisiana Early Literacy Commission

Our Master Plan

Our Grade-Level Reading Master Plan is a roadmap for ensuring every child has the support they need to read on grade level by third grade. This plan brings together families, educators, community leaders, and policymakers to tackle the root challenges that impact children’s success. From raising public awareness and strengthening data systems to engaging partners, advancing public policy, and equipping teachers with tools that make literacy fun, each piece of the plan works together to give children the best possible start in life

Community Solutions Action Plan

Raise public awareness through a coordinated campaign that engages media, partners, and people who impact the lives of young children.

Improve Available Data

Improve available data through a coordinated local data hub and longitudinal tracking of child outcomes.

Deepen Coordinated Engagement

Deepen coordinated engagement of partners in impacting chronic absence, school readiness, summer slide, and early literacy through the campaign’s steering committee, working groups, and public awareness efforts.

Advance Public Policy

Advance public policy by exploring a statewide grade-level reading network that connects public policy decisions to child success.

Provide Training for Teachers

Provide training for teachers and other adults to effectively integrate fun early literacy practices into a variety of settings with children.

Progress on Vision and Goals

It is important to note that the DIBELS data reflects K-3 early literacy skills, while LEAP scores measure overall academic performance for grades 3-12.

The New Orleans Campaign for
Grade-Level Reading Solutions

Reading proficiency by third grade is the most important predictor of high school graduation and career success. Yet, as of spring 2023, only 31% of New Orleans third graders are reading on grade level.

NOLA-CGLR brings together diverse stakeholders to address this challenge head-on.

Together, we can tackle the three key areas that ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed:

School Readiness

Improve school readiness to set the stage for a child’s future academic success by providing them with the foundational skills necessary to thrive in a learning environment.

Attendance

Improve attendance and reduce chronic absence to help every child progress and avoid gaps in their education so they can keep up with their peers.

Summer Slide

Increase summer learning and prevent summer slide by engaging in educational activities during summer break to maintain learning gains and prevent the erosion of academic progress made during the school year.

These interconnected elements significantly impact a child’s education. Addressing them requires a holistic, community-driven approach – uniting families, educators, and communities to support children’s learning and development both inside and outside the classroom.

Together, we are committed to ensuring that every child is reading to learn by third grade, laying the foundation for lifelong success. Our goal is to make meaningful progress in overcoming these challenges and foster a learning environment so every child can explore and grow.

Ready Start Network

A Ready Start Network (RSN) is a coalition of community members that work to improve early childhood education for children from birth to age five. It focuses on building a high-quality early care and education (ECE) system.

How is United Way Involved?

By supporting the RSNs in the parishes we serve, we directly strengthen our efforts to ensure every child is prepared for success.

We recognize that literacy begins well before formal schooling, and we are committed to expanding access to high-quality ECE while supporting childcare providers to improve early childhood education outcomes across our community.

Together with the RSNs, we aim to develop comprehensive resources and policies that empower families and young learners, ensuring every child has a strong foundation for success.

How is United Way Enhancing Ready Start Networks?

We offered Enhancing Ready Start Network Technical Assistance – Capacity Building Advocacy grants to RSNs in rural parishes, including St. Tammany, Plaquemines, Tangipahoa, St. Bernard, and Washington, aimed at improving the quality of care and supporting the healthy development of young children by strengthening collaboration and sharing resources among childcare providers.

Current Outcomes:

Provided consultants to RSNs who work closely with each network to build and improve their capacity

Awarded grant funds to five individuals from each network to attend Early Education Day at the State Capital in Baton Rouge designed to educate policymakers about improving policies and increasing investments in quality early education.

NOLA-CGLR Working Groups

A working group is a team of partners who focus on a specific area—like school readiness, attendance, or summer learning—to help more children read on grade level by third grade. These groups meet regularly to share ideas, coordinate efforts, and turn strategies into action for kids and families.

Help Shape Our Progress

Joining a Campaign for Grade-Level Reading working group is a powerful way to make a lasting difference for children and families. Whether you’re passionate about school readiness, expanding child care, creating resources that spark a love of reading, raising awareness, or tracking progress through research, there’s a place for your voice and expertise. By working together, we can turn ideas into action and ensure every child in New Orleans has the chance to read on grade level by third grade.

Join Us

Our Partners

Renita Woolridge
Director of Education & Youth Initiatives
United Way of Southeast Louisiana

eyi@unitedwaysela.org

504.553.8367

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United Way offers a variety of options for people to support their community, whether through donations, advocacy, corporate partnerships, or joining one of our groups.