News and Notes:  News Release
October 29, 2009

Topeka: KPERS issues, Partnership for 21^st Century Skills goals, parent involvement reporting requirements and workgroup efforts were the focus of the Kansas Learning First Alliance meeting held at the Shawnee County/Topeka Public Library Oct. 29.  Over 25 people from 18 member organizations attended.

Glenn Deck, Executive Director of KPERS, gave an overview of the health of the system that most KLFA members will depend on in their retirement.  As he has in numerous other presentations, Deck rebutted the notion KPERS was “bankrupt,” as one recently released report noted.  He did agree the current rate on employer contributions was inadequate over the long haul and would need to be addressed.  He reiterated the fact that no current benefits were in jeopardy.  It was also noted State General Fund dollars allotted to KPERS essentially came out of the same pool of money districts draw from.  As a result, as more money is necessarily funneled to improve KPERS stability, less money is likely to be available for districts as they try to improve student achievement results and provide for more effective professional development.

In the only action item of the day, members voted to approve the National Action Agenda for the Partnership for 21^st Century Skills.  More information about the agenda can be found at:

www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=768&Itemid=63.

Chair Sue Givens reported to the group additional data regarding parental involvement in KLFA projects will need to be collected as part of the annual reporting documents required by the Kansas Parent Information Center grant used to fund much of KLFA’s work.  The grant infuses $20,000 over five years into the Kansas Learning First Alliance Education Foundation, KLFA’s fiscal partner.  More detailed data from the Watch and Talk parties, held in conjunction with the presentation of Reading, Writing, and a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids on Kansas Public Television stations, will need to be collected to satisfy program evaluation requirements.

The three work groups KLFA uses met for much of the meeting. 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. 7, 2010, when it will celebrate its 11^th anniversary. It is the oldest of the 12 Learning First state affiliates in existence.