News and Notes:  News Release
May 12, 2011

Topeka: Common Core, PSA focus of wrap-up meeting

The Kansas Learning First Alliance wrapped up its 12th school year May 12 by developing plans to work with the Kansas State Department of Education as it rolls out the Common Core standards and previewing the recently completed PSA KLFA produced in cooperation with KTWU.  Over 30 representatives from 24 of the 28 member organizations were in attendance.
 
A number of KSDE staff was hand on to present an overview of progress to date on getting the Common Core standards out to the field.  They also worked with the Professional Development work group and the Student Achievement work group to help them align their efforts with the KSDE rollout.  It was stressed districts can and should start moving to the new standards as soon as possible, particularly in the lower grades.  Some changes in assessment will show up in 2012, and all the assessments will be based on the new standards by 2015.  The workgroups and KSDE staff discussed preliminary plans for KLFA to become a formal partner with KSDE as districts make the transition.
 
Members also saw the 30-second PSA produced by KTWU.  Both the Community Engagement workgroup and other representatives thought it should be made available as soon as possible rather than waiting until the end of summer, as was originally planned.  Links to it can be made from Web sites of organization and districts as well as by individuals.  It can be accessed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMTLSJPHXbM. The meeting was the last chaired by Sue Givens, El Dorado USD 490 superintendent.  Nancy Bolz, Director AdvancED Kansas, will step into her two-year stint as chair at the August meeting.  Dayna Richardson, representing KSDC, becomes the chair-elect.
 
Dr. Bolz did not attend the meeting as she was at the Learning First Alliance meeting in Washington, D.C.  She will bring KLFA up to speed on national initiatives at the August 26 meeting.  Other dates for the remainder of the 2011-2012 year’s meetings are Oct. 27
Jan.5; March 8; and May 10.
 
The three groups work toward improving student achievement; strengthening the professional learning 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.
 
Visit the KLFA Website at www.klfa.org for more information, including agendas for upcoming meetings as they are developed.  KLFA also has a Facebook page; be sure to visit the page and join as a friend.