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State Alliances: Kansas

History

Formed in 1999, joined the LFA state alliance network in 2000.

Mission

KLFA’s mission is “Making Kansas first in the nation in teaching and learning.” Given the high national ranking Kansas has on such indicators as the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), college entrance tests, post-secondary education levels and the adult literacy rate, the Alliance believes this is an ambitious but obtainable goal.

Description

The Kansas Learning First Alliance (KLFA) organizes its work around three priorities:

  • Improving student achievement
  • Strengthening the professional development of educators
  • Engaging the public in school improvement and student achievement efforts

The Kansas Learning First Alliance has been instrumental in raising public and legislative awareness about the need for rigorous curriculum and high quality teaching in reading and mathematics. As part of its work, the Alliance has spearheaded a workshop series across the state on reading instruction. The Kansas Alliance has also developed materials – including a CD-Rom and handouts based on the national Alliance's Every Child Reading: An Action Plan – to assist district and school reading trainers. Additionally, in an effort to address the achievement gap in mathematics and determine the causes of poor mathematics performance, KLFA was awarded a grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to conduct a study with the Kansas State Department of Education. As part of this effort, the Alliance has surveyed schools across the state on the enacted curriculum and developed recommendations on how to improve mathematics curricula and instruction. Additionally, the KLFA has led a statewide effort to increase support for public education. As part of this effort, the Alliance convened a public conversation on the “Changing Landscape of Public Education,” modeled on a format developed by the Public Agenda Foundation and NEA. Since this inaugural conversation, the Alliance has developed a network of facilitators across the state to help district leaders convene similar public conversations. To jumpstart this effort, KFLA has also launched a presentation series to school board and district leaders explaining the conversation process as well as providing seed money and guidance to districts willing to host local conversations.

Recently Launched

KLFA just launched a new website this spring, we encourage you to visit and learn more about the great work they're doing on the state and local level. 

Members

Website

http://www.klfa.org

For more information, contact Advance Ed Executive Director:
Ms. Nancy Bolz
nbolz@advanc-ed.org