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News and Notes: News
Release
October 12, 2005
Topeka:
New
KLFA publication crafted for improved teaching and learning -
available on the web now!
Although “the
basics” are still at the core of the curriculum, Americans expect
to see in their local schools, other, more complex, skills taught
that are in line with 21st century demands.
Problem-solving skills and preparation for life-long learning are
now considered the basics, in addition to the three Rs.
Regardless whether it is employment, vocational training and/or
college, Americans want their children prepared for a productive
future after high school graduation. To help ensure Kansas
students receive the type of instruction that promotes success
covering all the bases, the Kansas Learning First Alliance (KLFA)
recently unveiled its Tools for Quality Practice: A Resource
Guide for Professional Learning. The document received the
final touches at the Oct. 12 KLFA meeting.
The guide
provides a synthesis of the key findings from recently completed
Kansas research, along with a library of other helpful resources
to use as schools develop and refine their own continuous
improvement culture. Eight sections comprise the handbook. They
include:
- Executive
Summary;
- Improving
Teaching and Learning in All Kansas Schools;
- Professional
Development;
- Improving
Student Achievement in Reading;
- Improving
Student Achievement in Mathematics;
- Partnerships
for Improvement;
- No Child Left
Behind; and
- Collection of
References.
The handbook was
started over three years ago and was produced by various members
of the 23 member organizations of KLFA. It can be downloaded for
free from the KLFA Web site www.teachkansas.org.
Another
publication was also discussed at the meeting. Values Vision
and Performance was created by the Learning First Alliance (LFA)
in 2004 and updated and expanded in August 2005. Using extensive
focus group and survey data, the publication offers seven key
messages about public schools that resonate with the public.
Educators and community members can share these messages as they
discuss public schools with others in their communities knowing
they are accurate and capable of generating renewed support. It
can be downloaded from the LFA site at www.learningfirst.org.
Also, nine
volunteers were named to the advisory committee that will work
with the KLFA Education foundation as it seeks grants and other
resources to fund future KLFA initiatives. The foundation has
submitted an application seeking tax-exempt status and hopes to
have that finalized in the next 90 days.
37 people from 21
member organization were in attendance. The next meeting is
January 11, which marks the start of KLFA’s eighth year. |
