WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" to premiere in Boston tonight

BOSTON - Despite the high marks that Massachusetts earns for education overall, the Commonwealth is last on a list of states ranked on the basis of well-being for children in low-income families. Over the next four years, 40,000 young people in the region are expected to drop out of high school.  In Massachusetts, 43% of third graders - and almost two-thirds of low-income students - do not read at grade level.  Research shows that 74% of children who read poorly in third grade continue to read poorly in high school, making it far less likely that they will graduate from high school, become productive citizens and develop skills essential for contributing to the 21st century economy.

On Monday, September 27th at 6:30 p.m. at the West Newton Theatre, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and Massachusetts Stand for Children will aim to inspire social change in education and reverse these trends by engaging an audience of educators, parents, union members, philanthropists, students and other community members at the Boston premiere of the much-anticipated education documentary WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN."

In the movie, Oscar®-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim examines the crisis in public education in the United States through interlocking stories -- from a handful of students and their families to the educators and reformers trying to find lasting solutions.  Embracing the belief that good teachers make good schools, Guggenheim explores innovative approaches taken by education reformers that have-by reshaping the culture-refused to leave students behind. The film is presented by Paramount Pictures, Participant Media in association with Walden Media.  The film is produced by Lesley Chilcott, with Participant's Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann serving as executive producers. It is written by Davis Guggenheim & Billy Kimball.

United Way and Stand for Children are National Social Action Partners for the Waiting for "Superman" Social Action campaign and will serve as the local campaign managers in cities across the U.S. the WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN."  Social Action Campaign is using the theatrical release of the film to elevate a national conversation about the urgent need for changes in public education and to help ensure that every child in America gets a great education The campaign is also complimented by a robust website waitingforsuperman.com/action that will provide resources and engagement opportunities for everyone from educators and parents to corporations and individuals wanting to get involved.

United Way and Stand for Children seek to use the acclaimed documentary as a discussion starter about all of the influences on a child's education, including those that extend beyond schools. The organizations are aiming to engage parents, community organizations, businesses, young people, and government in the success of our children through high school and beyond.

"United Way believes solutions are found through community engagement and dialogue," said Michael K. Durkin, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.  "No one initiative or approach will solve all problems.  Our focus is on creating a dialogue around the fact that schools need the entire community engaged in their success."

Meg Ansara, Stand for Children's Chief Operating Officer commented, "We believe that WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" is a terrific catalyst for a long overdue conversation about public education in this country. Stand for Children's focus is both to encourage that discussion and, even more importantly, to ensure viewers take meaningful action to improve student outcomes in their communities and states."

A panel discussion, to be held immediately following the premiere at the West Newton theater, will feature Keith Motley, Chancellor of UMASS Boston, Paul Toner, President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, Greg Shell, Board Chair of Roxbury Prep Charter School, David Shapiro, CEO of Mass Mentoring, and student Casandra Santiago-Nieves, the Massachusetts Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year.

Following the Boston premiere of WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN," United Way and Stand for Children will develop specific action strategies in the areas of parent engagement, student engagement, and teacher support to ensure all students succeed. Local efforts will include mobilizing volunteers and advocates to mentor youth and boost reading skills for kindergarteners through 3rd graders, and launching an online grass-roots effort to celebrate effective teachers.  Communities will also have access to a mobilization and action guide, called Success for Life, to help them create community-wide action plans for youth. These local efforts will complement WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN's" nation-wide social action campaign.

The Social Action campaign in the Boston area will include a steering committee of partner organizations who are committed to ensuring that every child gets a great education, and will seek to engage the community through at least the first quarter of 2011.

For more information about the WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN." Social Action Campaign, or to learn more about the organizations leading the efforts in the Boston area, visit www.waitingforsuperman.com/action/city/boston, www.stand.org and http://supportunitedway.org/superman.

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