News and Notes:  News Release
May 27, 2009

Topeka: Givens steps in as new KLFA chair;  Planning continues on 21^st Century initiative

Sue Givens, El Dorado USD 490 superintendent, stepped into the chair of the Kansas Learning First Alliance at the conclusion of its meeting May 27.  She succeeds Dr. Blake West, a Blue Valley USD 229 math teacher, who currently serves as the president of the Kansas National Education Association.  Givens is the sixth person to serve as chair of the organization, which was formed in January, 1999.  No chair-elect was announced at the meeting but one will be at the Aug. 28 meeting.  Both positions are two-year terms.

Since its inception, KLFA, an affiliate of the Learning First Alliance, which is a partnership of 18 leading education associations with more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America’s public schools, has used three working groups to achieve its mission.  The three groups are working toward 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 our work to influence practitioners.
• KLFA will increase its visibility among policy makers. 
• KLFA will strengthen and increase its organizational capacity.

In March of 2008, after being vetted through all 27 KLFA organizations, the following vision and mission statements were adopted:

• KLFA’s vision is an outstanding system of public education that empowers each student to succeed in the 21^st century. 
• KLFA’s mission 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 21^st century.

KLFA has focused its efforts recently in supporting the Partnership for 21^st Century Skills initiative, which Kansas joined in April, 2008.  The Governor’s P-20 Education Council, which met for the first time in July, 2008, serves in an oversight role for the Partnership initiative.  Dr. West and Pam Robinson, KASB president and KLFA participant, serve on the P-20 Council, which helps KLFA plan activities that will allow the Partnership to play and more powerful and visible role in Kansas education.