News and Notes:  News Release
October 9, 2008

Topeka: KLFA works to enhance core subjects with 21^st Century skills

With an eye on its commitment to the Partnership of 21^st Century Skills, the Kansas Learning First Alliance met Oct. 9, at KASB.  Over 30 people from 21 of its 29 member organizations attended.  The focus of the day was how to move the 21^st Century initiative forward, particularly in light of the Kansas State Department of Education’s creation of a set of learner and learning environment profiles. Incorporation of these learner profiles into standards and assessments would move schools’ mission beyond the core concepts and into more sophisticated skills, such as problems-solving and creative thinking, which are identified by the Partnership as learning and innovation skills.

The national Partnership is composed of businesses, mainly high tech companies; educational organizations; and educational foundations.  It describes itself as the nation’s leading advocacy organization focusing on infusing 21^st century skills into education and aims, at both the state and national level, to serve as a catalyst to position 21st century skills at the center of US K-12 education by building collaborative partnerships among education, business, community and government leaders. In Kansas, this collaborative approach will be enhanced by the fact the recently appointed Governor’s P-20 Educational Council will also provide leadership for the Partnership initiative in the state. 

After hearing from KSDE personnel on the draft profiles, members divided into three work groups. The three groups work towards improving student achievement; strengthening the professional development of educators; and engaging the public in school improvement and student achievement efforts. To focus their work, three general goals offer guidance.  They are:

• KLFA will broadly disseminate its work to influence practitioners.
• KLFA will increase its visibility among policy makers. 
• KLFA will strengthen and increase its organizational capacity.

KLFA’s next meeting is Jan. 8, 2009, when it will celebrate its tenth anniversary. It is oldest of the 12 Learning First state affiliates in existence.