Please email support of Early Learning and Development Standards by March 1st at 10 AM

Dear Louisiana Parent,

We need your help! For decades, Louisiana has had in place Early Learning and Development Standards, which are guidelines to help parents and caregivers support the development of young children. These standards are well-researched and have been considered uncontroversial since their inception. The standards are going through a routine review process, with updates to the standards ready for adoption.  Unfortunately, the concept of social-emotional development has been misunderstood or misrepresented on social media over the last year, which is now impacting the  Early Learning and Development Standards review process. 

We need parents like YOU to share your support of these common sense, well-researched standards with the standards review committee. Children need to learn to read and write, but they also need to share and play well with others, be able to communicate their needs or calm themselves down after getting upset, be proud of themselves, and more — all common sense, practical life skills. 

Please email your support of these standards to earlychildhood@la.gov by Wednesday, March 1st at 10 AM. We have included some sample templates below to make this as easy as possible, but please feel free to personalize these messages and put them in your own voice.

Louisiana’s children need passionate parents to advocate on their behalf. We thank you so much for what you’re doing for our littlest learners!

Best,

Libbie Sonnier, Executive Director
Louisiana Policy Institute for Children

———-

Template: Please feel free to personalize further, but below are some templates for public comment in case you find them helpful.

Option 1

Dear Review Committee,

I am a resident of _________ Parish and a parent writing in support of the revised Early Learning and Development Standards. As a parent, I want my child to learn academic skills and also important social-emotional skills, which are the skills that will allow them to succeed in their relationships with others.  I am proud to support the revisions to the standards.

Option 2

Dear Review Committee,

I am a resident of _________ Parish and a parent/grandparent/uncle/aunt of ________ children. I am writing in support of the revised Early Learning and Development Standards. It is important to me to make sure my children are prepared to work and play with their peers. The updated Early Learning and Development Standards support children early on to learn the skills necessary to help them in school and later on in adulthood. As a parent, I am proud to support the revisions to the standards.

Option 3

Dear Committee,

I am a parent of ____ children and a resident of ______ Parish. I support the social-emotional learning standards in the revised Early Learning and Development Standards. These research-based standards will benefit all children in Louisiana by preparing them for success in school and in life. I am proud to support the revisions to the standards.