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News and Notes: News
Release
May 13, 2010
Topeka:
KLFA wraps up school year with data users group report
Sherrill Martinez, KSDE Information Analysis Specialist, and Kathy
Gosa, KSDE Technology Information Director, presented an overview
of the Kansas Education Data Users Consortium at the Kansas
Learning First Alliance meeting May 13. KEDUC, in the second year
of its second three-year funding grant, “promotes the utilization
of a robust data system that enables research, improvement and
innovation in Kansas education.” Two overarching goals are being
pursued:
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Making data to inform decisions part of everyday practice for
educators; and
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Increasing the amount and quality of research in the state.
The four partners overseeing the initiative are KSDE, the Kansas
Board of Regents, the University of Kansas and Kansas State
University.
Other highlights of the meeting included:
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A report on the national Learning First Alliance meeting held
last month in Washington, D.C. KLFA had the largest state
contingent at the meeting. It was reported at the meeting the
chances were very good for securing a sizable grant that would
allow Kansas and a handful of other states the opportunity to
work with the Harwood Institute to enable and enhance community
engagement efforts;
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An update of the legislative session. It was noted although the
budget, as passed, did not cut K-12 spending, several of the
resources on which it was based could easily be considered
“soft” money. As a result, districts were being encouraged to
play things close to the vest, as cuts could be made during the
year.
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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:
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KLFA
will broadly disseminate its work to influence practitioners.
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KLFA will increase its visibility among policy makers.
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KLFA will strengthen and increase its organizational capacity.
The Student Achievement group discussion focused on the next round
of state standards and assessments and the development of the
process that will be used to identify key instructional examples
for teaching 21st century skills.
The Professional Development group reviewed the recommendation of
the Professional Development Taskforce recently approved by the
Kansas State Board of Education and the KLFA role in its work,
particularly as it will affect the current point system for
licensure.
The Community Engagement group reviewed group accomplishments,
including the production of Kansas Kids: A Great Investment
flyer that will soon be available in both English and Spanish, as
well as its distribution. The group also discussed working with
the final report being developed that summarizes the KLFA/public
television production shown last September.
The first meeting of the 2010-11 school year will be August 27.
The meeting will be preceded by a Webinar the night before to set
the stage for the new year’s activities.
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. |
