Learning Forward Kansas Awards Program

Learning Forward Kansas (LF KS) Awards Program recognizes excellence in professional learning at several levels annually. The program is built on three major elements:

• The program must reflect knowledge, application, and impact;
• Awards will be presented at the individual, building, and district levels; and
• Awards should be decided on verifiable evidence.

Contact:
Ben Smith, Learning Forward Kansas Awards Team
Abilene USD 435
1300 N. Cedar St.
Abilene, KS 67410
bsmith@abileneschools.org

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Award Descriptions:

New!
Cycle of Continuous Improvement Award:
Learning Forward Kansas wants to recognize a school team that successfully implements the cycle of continuous learning for professional learning that results in student achievement.
Prepare a 10-12 minute video that depicts your school team engaged in the cycle of continuous improvement as described in Learning Forward's definition of professional learning.

Learn how to apply >

The deadline is January 15.

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Classified Professional Learning Award:
The Classified Personnel Professional Learning Award recognizes an individual or building/district that has made a significant commitment toward the professional learning of classified staff members to improve student achievement.

Apply now! Annual deadline is January 15.

Download: Classified Professional Learning Application (PDF 117 KB)

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Impact Award:
The Impact Award recognizes individual educators who take learning beyond knowledge and application and provide verifiable evidence of improved student learning as a result of professional learning for the educator. The number of Impact Awards is not limited and any educator may apply. Interested?

Apply now! Annual deadline is January 15.

Download: Impact Application (PDF 106 KB)

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Professional Learning Community Award:
The PLC Award is a school level award. All buildings in Kansas are eligible to apply. The school must provide evidence of excellence in professional learning by measuring progress on the KLFA/Learning Forward Kansas/KSDE Professional Learning Community Building Rubric. The rubric is based on the National Staff Development Standards (Learning Forward) and includes the standards most often aligned to school improvement efforts. The artifacts provided must illustrate the level of performance on the rubric. Up to two buildings will be awarded annually.

The award includes:

• A plaque for the school announcing the award (suitable for displaying outdoors)
• A one-year building membership in Learning Forward Kansas
• Two registrations to a Learning Forward Kansas Conference

Is your building a learning community? Can you prove it? Apply now! Annual deadline is January 15.

Downloads:
PLC Building Application (PDF 160 KB)
PLC Building Rubric (PDF 106 KB)

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Systemic Learning Award:
The Systemic Learning Award is a school district level award. All Kansas school districts are eligible to apply for the award which recognizes district level commitment to growth in professional learning and support for change. Specific criteria for growth include the time, money, management, materials, and authority allocated to the adult learning effort in the district to foster improved student learning. The district will provide evidence of growth and achievement via the KLFA/Learning Forward Kansas/KSDE Systemic Learning Rubric. The rubric is based on the National Staff Development Standards (Learning Forward) and includes all of the Learning Forward Standards. Up to two districts will be awarded annually.

The award includes:

• A plaque for the district announcing the award (suitable for displaying outdoors)
• A one-year agency membership in Learning Forward Kansas
• Two registrations to a Learning Forward Kansas Conference

Is your district supporting professional learning? Can you show us the data? Apply now!
Annual deadline is January 15.

Downloads:
District Systemic Application (PDF 98 KB)
District Systemic Rubric (PDF 131 KB)

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21st Century Skills Professional Development:
Learning Forward Kansas wants to recognize those who effectively implement 21st Century Skills in their professional learning program. This award could be for a building or district.

You can apply—

• Complete the 21st Century Skills Professional Development Application
• Answer the questions listed at the end of the application—only 5!
• Submit technology-based evidence (such as a video, podcast, PowerPoint, multimedia presentation, etc.) that showcases your 21st Century Skills professional development

Up to two schools will be recognized for exemplary honors at the Learning Forward Kansas Leadership Conference.

Download: 21st Century Skills Professional Development Application (PDF 153 KB)

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District Staff Developer of the Year Award:
Learning Forward Kansas would like to help districts recognize the staff developer that has had the most direct impact on your school or district. Districts will be encouraged to nominate the individual (either an internal or an external source) who has had the most impact on improving student performance through professional learning in your schools. Remember, everyone can be a staff developer! Nominations will be distributed to district superintendents annually. Every individual nominated will receive a certificate and a complimentary one year Learning Forward Kansas membership. Awardees will be recognized at the Learning Forward Kansas Leadership Conference. The award will consist of a certificate suitable for framing. Annual deadline is January 15.

Download: Staff Development Application (PDF 112 KB)

Recent Award Winners >