News and Notes:  News Release
March 25, 2010

Topeka: KLFA focuses on goals; keeps an eye on emerging constraints, possibilities

The Kansas Learning First Alliance met March 25.  Members used the abbreviated meeting to work on wrapping up 2009-10 goals, keeping in mind a bleak state fiscal picture; program and personnel cuts at the district level; and a changing federal landscape, including the Race to the Top program and emerging details about the Obama administration priorities in the discussion of reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.  Attendance at the meeting, perhaps a result of the heightened challenges, was strong.  Almost 40 people, representing 24 of the 28 active organizational members, attended.

Weather and other issues have affected KLFA meetings this year.  The January meeting was canceled due to winter weather, and the agenda for this meeting was pared down due to the inability of the featured speaker, a representative of the Department of Education, to attend.

Highlights of the meeting included:

• Discussion of the upcoming national Learning First Alliance meeting to be held next month in Washington, D.C.  KLFA will have at least five members at the meeting;
• A summary of the state affiliate conference call held March 24.  Seven states participated in the call.  A key part of the call was a review of efforts to obtain a large grant in collaboration with The Harwood Institute to enable and enhance community engagement efforts;
• The positive impact on K-12 and post-secondary communications the Kansas Board of Regents’ decision to name former State Commissioner Andy Tompkins as its CEO.  Dr. Tompkins is a board member of the Kansas Learning First Alliance Education Foundation and is very familiar with the work of KLFA.
• Productive meetings of the three workgroups KLFA uses to accomplish its goals.  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.

The last meeting of the school year will be May 13, 2010.

For more information about KLFA, including how a copy of the television show Reading, Writing, and a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids can be accessed and used, along with recently revised support material, visit www.klfa.org.