The Louisiana English language arts student standards were created by over one hundred Louisiana educators with input by thousands of parents and teachers from across the state. Educators envisioned what proficient students should know and be able to do to compete in our society and focused their efforts on creating standards that would allow them to do so. The new standards provide appropriate content for all grades, maintain high expectations, and create a logical connection of content across and within grades. The goal for students in English language arts (ELA) is to: (1) Read; (2) Understand complex, grade-level texts; and (3) Express their understanding of those texts through writing and speaking. The Standards for ELA/Literacy establish grade-level expectations for all students meaning "what" students will learn. Decisions about "how" to teach these expectations are left up to local districts, schools, and teachers.