Dear Superintendents,
Today, draft Wyoming Science Content and Performance Standards were released. The WDE held a press conference this morning where we discussed the review/development process, the 41-person committee, and a few highlights in the standards and the process. We also fielded questions including how the committee reconciled controversial language and standards such as climate change. Here is a link to the media release and draft standards: http://edu.wyoming.gov/draft-science-standards-available-to-the-public/
The committee shared their views on the review and development process in a video: https://youtu.be/5hXolvWbazY
It was with the help of Wyoming superintendents that the standards review process was improved to include greater transparency and inclusiveness while maintaining a commitment to high rigor of standards. Thank you for your work!
Next week, the State Board will have an opportunity to discuss the draft standards and vote on next steps.
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Legislative Update
The Legislative Management Council met on Wednesday to determine interim study topics for education:
Priority #: 1 Every Student Succeeds Act
Priority #: 2 Wyoming Accountability in Education Act (WAEA)
Priority #: 3 School Finance
Priority #: 4 Hathaway Scholarship Program
Priority #: 5 Alignment of public education efforts
Priority #: 6 Distance Education
Priority #: 7 Medically Necessary Placements
These are the topics that will be discussed in the interim at 3 x 2-day meetings. One or more of the topics may result in committee-sponsored legislation for the 2017 session.
![Disability Awareness Proclamation](http://172.20.1.104/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/unnamed-2-225x300.jpg)
![Lander receives its accreditation award along with others at the Spring AdvancEd Conference](http://172.20.1.104/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/unnamed-3-300x169.jpg)
Memos to be released March 14, 2016:
- Memo 2016-038: ESSA Highly Qualified Requirements
- Memo 2016-039: Embargoed Grad Rate Release
- Memo 2016-040: CTE Demonstration Project Grant Application
- Memo 2016-041: Comprehensive School Improvement Plans
- Memo 2016-042: Updated Hathaway Success Curriculum Course Waiver Form
- Memo 2016-042-attachment: Hathaway Course Waiver Form
- Memo 2016-043: Instructional Facilitators Grant Application
- Memo 2016-043-attachment: Estimated School Year 2016-17 Grant Awards
- Memo 2016-043-attachment: 2016-17 Grant Application and Report