News and Notes:  News Release
January 5, 2012

Topeka: KLFA Focuses on Common Core and other KSDE Initiatives During January Meeting

Kansas Learning First Alliance (KLFA) continued its work to focus on the quality implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Mathematics and English/Language Arts and the broader Next Generation standards (including Social Studies, Science.)

KLFA Chair Dr. Nancy Bolz, (Director of AdvancED Kansas), welcomed representatives from the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).  It was a great day of collaboration and sharing.  Judi Miller provided an update on the Kansas ESEA Flexibility Application/Waivers Update; Howard Shuler shared the new KSDE Accreditation Model; and David Barnes and Jeannette Nobo outlined plans for spring and summer learning opportunities around the CCSS. 

KLFA and our member organizations continue to provide support, time and energy to ensure successful implementation of these initiatives.  Some examples of this work include

• Keynote presentations at the Learning Forward Kansas spring conference by KLFA Chair Nancy Bolz and Dayna Richardson, Chair-elect.

• New resource links on the KLFA web site will include extensive support for KSDE curriculum standards. These links include access to training for practitioners new to the CCSS in Math and Language Arts.

The Community Engagement Work Group has now released their second of three Public Service Announcement (PSA) videos in collaboration with KTWU Channel 8. This PSA is now available and we encourage you to use and disseminate whenever possible. The radio spots in both English and Spanish are forthcoming!

This marks the thirteenth school year education organizations, agencies and institutions have worked together to improve teaching and learning in Kansas under the KLFA banner.  Again this year, KLFA is working 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.