News and Notes:  News Release
March 12, 2009

Topeka: KLFA continues 21st Century skills discussion and dissemination efforts

The Kansas Learning First Alliance met Thursday, March 12. Most of the meeting, both in the committee as a whole portion and in the three workgroups, was focused on bringing 21st century assessment, curriculum and instruction to the state’s public schools. The state’s difficult financial situation and its impact on schools’ ability to move forward with steady or shrinking resources, was an essential part of the day’s discussions.

The group heard a report from members who attended the LFA state affiliate summit in New York City in early March. The group also grappled with concerns by some that the move towards “21st Century skills” was just a rehash of previous educational trends and would need to swing back to more “content” oriented instruction. KLFA, as an early promoter of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, is working to inform educators and the public in general of the promise a better way of teaching content through relevant and rigorous project-based learning would have on both necessary accountability assessments and graduation rates, another accountability measure.  Content and skills - these are not either/or choices but must be integrated.

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.

Over thirty people from two-thirds of the member organizations were in attendance.

The mission of KLFA is to unite the education community to improve our outstanding public education system, pre-K through higher education, to empower each Kansan to succeed in the diverse, interdependent world of the 21st century. The next KLFA meeting is Wednesday, May 27 at KASB.