The Worcester Education Collaborative is a small, nimble organization with a clear goal: educational excellence for all children in Worcester Public Schools. WEC’s philosophy and theory of action are grounded in the belief that strong schools help attract, maintain, and build the middle class, whose strength is crucial to the economic and civic vitality of a community. What WEC does: • WEC is a catalyst on key issues; we arm the public, leaders, and policymakers with information and offer plans and tactics for action. We work collectively, deliberately and strategically to find solutions. • Over the past year WEC’s work, alone and in partnership with others, has reached more than 1,000 parents, students, community members and civic leaders. Specifically… • WEC is a leader in the Worcester Reads! literacy campaign. • WEC’s partnership with Worcester Public Schools, WorcesterHEARS, is developing a comprehensive strategy to address the effects of trauma on learning and give students, teachers and families the tools they need to develop resilience. • WEC educates the public about the process of funding our schools with seminars presented in partnership with the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, Inc. • WEC partners with Hanover Insurance Group, United Way of Central Massachusetts and National Grid to bring books and literacy activities to kindergarten and first grade students in our Reading Together program. • WEC led the formation of the new Family & Community Academy to expand workshops and training for parents and caregivers on child development and advocacy for their children and schools. • WEC revitalized the Principal for a Day program and convened the Business Roundtable to raise civic leaders’ awareness of educational issues and challenges. • WEC developed and implemented after school science programs with college student mentors at targeted elementary schools.