Achievements

Over the history of our organization, KLFA achievements include the following: Like - Thumb Up

  • Hosted a Staff Development Summit where we drafted and revised, based on input from hundreds of Kansas educators, a self-assessment rubric to guide attainment of the Standards for Professional Development established by the National Staff Development Council. (2000-01)
  • As a follow-up to the Summit, helped revise state in-service education regulations to reflect these higher standards of staff development. (2000-01)
  • Distributed to all pre-K through third grade teachers in Kansas the Learning First Alliance booklet, Every Child Reading: An Action Plan, along with a study guide for its use. (2000-01)
  • Developed a presentation package based on Every Child Reading and delivered it to nearly 1000 people in the state, including school site council members, community groups, and professional organizations. The presenters became know as the “Reading Chicks!” (2000-01)
  • —Developed a Reading Position Paper that proposed action on a task list for both KSDE and the state legislature, while committing KLFA to distributing copies of “Every Child Reading: An Action Plan,” advocating for funding for professional development, and advocating for revision of teacher education, among numerous others. (2002-03)
  • —Conducted a Math Audit by facilitating a survey of teachers and principals about beliefs & values and then compared the survey results to math assessment results. Considering the results and how instructional time was allotted to different standards, two workshops were held for over 50 districts. (2002-03)
  • Partnered with NEA and Public Agenda to host a community conversation about the “Changing Landscape of Public Education” to introduce the structured conversation process to our constituent organizations and school leaders. (2002-03)
  • —Created the KLFA Educational Foundation to help facilitate the work of KLFA. It is overseen by a Board and has funded many projects over the years and covers professional learning expenses for the annual LFA Conference. (2003-04)
  • —Compiled the quick and dirty version of the lengthy federal and state documents for user friendly digestion of the programs, as educators scrambled to make sense of the new regulations associated with No Child Left Behind and QPA – Quality Performance Accreditation. (2004-05)
  • Spearheaded efforts for Kansas to become a 21st Century Partnership State. Our board formally endorsed P21 following meetings with the Governor’s Office and State Board President Steve Abrams. KLFA then helped author the application to be a partner state. (2007-08)
  • —Participated with Public Agenda to raise awareness of STEM in schools in greater KC. Member organizations and board members helped with community conversations and an eventual forum of 30 leaders from the KCK community looking at strategies for what to do with the data. After-school programs were a heavy emphasis in the recommendations, thanks to KLFA member participation. (2007-09)
  • Partnered with KTWU to develop “Reading, Writing, & a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids.” This was viewed by an estimated 10,000 Kansans and was followed with at least 18 “Watch & Talk Parties” involving over 550 people. Data from these conversations was compiled and shared with legislators. (2008-09)
  • Partnered with KTWU to develop three Public Service Announcements (PSAs) targeted at supporting public school funding during the budget cuts. (2011-12)
  • Partnered with P21 and developed a Community Engagement Presentation and Resources to present to community organizations across the state and encourage their working with their public schools. (2012-13)
  • Developed a new online presence and commitment to using technological tools including a new website, webinar meetings, Wiki workspace, Facebook, Diigo, YouTube, etc. (2009-13)
  • Have developed an ongoing strong working relationship with KSDE and KSBE members. KSDE colleagues have included Andy Tompkins, Alexa Posny, Kathy Boyer, Tom Foster, Jackie Lakin, Diane DeBacker, and Jeannette Nobo to name a few. KSBE colleagues have included Sue Gamble, David Dennis, Kathy Martin, Walt Chappell, and Kathy Busch. (1999 and beyond)
  • Adjusted its practices to best facilitate collaboration and networking of PK-20 educational organizations. (1999-Present)
  • Served as a model collaborative leadership as they worked with LFA and other state alliances. (1999-Present)
  • Has had a strong commitment of effective leaders serving as chairs: Marceta Reilly (1999-2001), Christy Levings (2001-03), Tom Krebs (2003-05), Sandee Crowther (2005-07), Blake West (2007-09), Sue Givens (2009-11), and Nancy Bolz (2011-13).