Happy New Year! I am very excited to work with you in 2023, and beyond. I ran to be State Superintendent because I am a product of Wyoming public schools, a lifelong Wyomingite, and as such have a deeply held passion for ensuring our students are provided every opportunity to build a successful future right here in Wyoming.

Over the course of the past year, I had the opportunity to travel all across the state, meeting with tens of thousands of Wyoming voters and discussing the education issues important to them.

By the end of the campaign, three topics rose to the top of collective concerns: 1) parental empowerment and transparency; 2) industry partnership and preparing students for successful jobs; and 3) getting government out of the way of the classroom. My goal will be to make progress in addressing these concerns with strategic initiatives, working with education stakeholders like you. We will build trust with families, businesses, and school districts by working collaboratively toward solutions to these concerns.

I am also very excited to announce my leadership team. With decades of experience in education, from the classroom to the state department, the team is incredibly experienced and talented. As such, we have a great opportunity to immediately move on our strategic initiatives. The leadership team includes:

• Dicky Shanor, Chief of Staff.
• Trent Carroll, Chief Operations Officer.
• Shelley Hamel, Chief Academics Officer.
• Wanda Maloney, Chief Policy Officer.
• Linda Finnerty, Communications Director.

Thank you for your passion for education and all you do in your local communities. Together, we will improve educational opportunities and outcomes for students. I look forward to working with each of you.

Monday memos:

• 2023-001-2021 Census data for FY23 Title I, Part A Allocations
• 2023-002-Call for Teacher Retention and Recruitment Taskforce Members
• 2023-003-National Youth Science Camp Applications (NYSCamp)
• 2023-004-2023 District Teachers of the Year
• 2023-005-Alternative Schedule Requests
• 2023-006-2023-24 Hathaway Success Curriculum Course and 8th Grade Unit of Study

Sincerely,

Megan Degenfelder
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Dear Superintendents,

With only a couple of Updates left to go before this administration bows out and the new administration assumes the reins, a re-cap of some of the initiative priorities pursued over the past year may be helpful. The vision and focus of each not only dovetail, but will hopefully be sustained by Wyoming’s overall educational vision.

Vision & Focus

The Wyoming Teacher’s Apprenticeship – Dubbed the “Cadillac of Teacher Apprenticeship programs,” Dr. Laurel Ballard (WDE), Brendan O’Connor (PTSB) and their team can never get enough credit for the feat they pulled off in getting this initiative launched in response to the teacher shortage crisis. As we continue to pilot this in three districts throughout the balance of this school year (Teton County #1, Fremont County #24 and Laramie County #1), working through some of the funding challenges, we are very optimistic the WTA is poised to move forward and flourish in our schools.

Literacy Efforts – Accomplished early readers is what we want, and structured literacy through the phonetic approach is how we get there. To that end, the wind that spreads the fire brings us a number of promising programs that will undoubtedly improve early  literacy skills across the state. For example, a number of districts have expressed interest in leveraging an intervention program endorsed by Dr. William Bennett (a man not given to endorsements). The WDE continues to work with local school districts to ensure that our children acquire the literacy skills they need to be successful and engaged Americans.

The Taiwanese Student & Teacher Exchange – The official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding recently in Taipei, Taiwan, combined with the emerging sistership of two of our Wyoming schools (Black Butte High School and Campbell County High School) with two Taiwanese schools, paves the path to a rich educational and cultural exchange between the teachers and students of Wyoming and Taiwan. Moreover, with the WDE’s Chief Policy Officer Wanda Maloney as the point person, the sky will be the limit regarding this budding and exciting new partnership.

The Tourism-Hospitality Project – Because tourism/hospitality is the second biggest industry in Wyoming, a well-built bridge from our schools to the training and careers it can provide is absolutely critical. Although still in the seminal discussion stages, with WDE CTE Supervisor Dr. Michelle Aldrich at the helm, along with WDE Communications Director Linda Finnerty’s ever-guiding hand and Executive Director of the Wyoming Hospitality and Travel Coalition Chris Brown’s inspiring vision, the commitment remains very high in terms of long-term continuance and sustainability once this effort gets fully launched.

In the Spotlight

Speaking of Linda Finnerty, since day one, Linda has thoughtfully and candidly advocated for the best interests of the agency. She has taken leadership roles in numerous initiatives designed to improve outcomes for teachers, students and parents. She has built and maintained positive professional relationships within the WDE, as well as with external stakeholders including legislators and economic development groups. Linda is creative, articulate and she has a passion for Wyoming and the WDE!

Linda has been particularly instrumental throughout the transitions. Last winter, when Superintendent Jillian Balow and Chief of Staff Dicky Shanor left for Virginia, Linda rolled up her sleeves and helped the agency stay focused. As Deputy Superintendent Chad Auer and I assumed our roles in February, Linda helped us get off the ground. Now, as the WDE undergoes yet another transition, Linda is stepping up to ensure the process is successful and honorable.

Linda, you are ‘In the Spotlight’ for everything that you have done for our state and for the WDE!

Mark Your Calendars

The Nomination Drive for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (#PAEMST) is happening! Do you know a 7–12th grade STEM teacher in Wyoming whose impact goes beyond the classroom? Help us celebrate the future of STEM education by nominating a teacher today. Read more here.

Monday memos:

There are no memos this week.

Sincerely,

Dear Superintendents,

With the general election now behind us, we wish to congratulate and welcome Megan Degenfelder as the new State Superintendent of Public Instruction. We want to again reiterate that we will do everything we can to ensure a smooth and seamless leadership transition within the Wyoming Department of Education for both Megan and the WDE staff.

The transition period will take place through November and December, leading up to the swearing-in ceremony on January 2. It will include a series of orientation meetings with myself, my deputy superintendent, the department chiefs and division directors, as well as an all-staff meeting on December 9.The superintendent-elect will also have access, like all new incoming elected officials, to a transition team out of the A&I office that will deal with all the other details and aspects of the process.

Vision & Focus 

Because of the law of increasing entropy, mission drift is inevitable if the focus becomes foggy from a vision that has become blurred. For leaders of educational entities, therefore, constant clarity is essential.

For example, take the mission of “teaching thinking:” viewing this challenge in the critical thinking domain alone can unwittingly blur the vision which can eventually fog the focus. This happens when the logic piece is missed or by-passed, and it can happen in no small measure.

Since critical thinking does not necessarily include logical thought, it does not necessarily produce the same. But logical thought always includes critical thinking and, therefore, always produces the same. Therefore, we can’t fulfill education’s ultimate mission (teaching thinking) without teaching logic (the systematic rules of thinking). It’s only logical!

Other obvious benefits to the life of the mind notwithstanding, because logic (as both a content area as well as a skill) increases clarity, it remains one of the most powerful tools in an educator’s arsenal for not only equipping students for life, but also helping students break out of some of those inevitable youth-based mind blinds, to which the undeveloped mind is so vulnerable.

On the Road, In the Field

“On the road” this week means in the air and “in the field” means overseas travel. By the time this update lands in your laptops, I will have landed in Taipei, Taiwan to represent both the state and schools of Wyoming on a trip that will give official credence to the newly unfolding educational and cultural relationship between Taiwan and Wyoming.

For the long-range purpose of firming up and further developing the prospects of student and teacher exchanges between their great country and our great state, Taiwan has graciously offered to host and fund this entire opportunity. With two of our Wyoming schools already committed to this program (Black Butte Alternative High School in Rock Springs and Campbell County High School in Gillette), “the sky is the limit” as to where this could go for future student and teacher exchanges.

This of course will not only be an incredible experience, but also a tremendous honor, and I will certainly do my best to represent Wyoming well. Armed with many Wyoming gifts to share (thanks to Penny!), the intent will be to not only solidify an official educational exchange, but also to build good will and reinforce the long-standing tradition of mutual admiration between the Taiwanese and American people.

In the Spotlight

Two years ago, the Wyoming State Board of Education (SBE) launched a project called the Profile of a Graduate. The goal was to understand what our Wyoming high school students needed to know to move into the world after graduation, whether they chose college, career or the military. Over the course of two phases of work focused on collecting insights and feedback from stakeholders across the state (including parents, students, teachers, administration, industry, business, community members, elected officials, higher education, and more), a dedicated team working with the board presented their findings.

At the SBE’s August meeting, the board unanimously approved the final Profile of a Graduate. The website also provides a bit of a look into how the process was executed. Having the opportunity to join the SBE during my tenure as Superintendent, a well-earned and well-deserved round of applause should be given to this very invested board and their supporting team for the work they have accomplished in this regard. For this they are all ‘In the Spotlight’ this week. Congratulations, Ryan Fuhrman and fellow SBE members!

Mark Your Calendars

Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA), addresses students participating in alternate assessments aligned with alternate academic achievement standards (AA-AAAS) of the statewide assessment system. Each state must submit a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education if it predicts exceeding 1.0 percent participation in the AA-AAAS in any subject.

After reviewing the 2021-22 assessment participation data, the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) has determined that participation in WY-ALT ELA, Math in grades 3-10 and WY-ALT Science in grades 4, 8, and 10 may be over 1% of the total number of students assessed in that subject area for the 2022-23 school year. Pursuant to Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34 (34 CFR), Section 200.6(c)(4), the WDE is requesting a federal waiver for exceeding the 1% threshold on AA-AAAS participation in the WY-ALT ELA, Math, and Science.

The WDE seeks public comment on the One Percent Participation Waiver Request for the Alternate ELA, Math, and Science Assessment. Public comment may be submitted online, or via mail, by 11:59 p.m. on November 15, 2022. All public comment will be recorded verbatim, including the submitter’s name and city of residence, on the Secretary of State website as part of the public comment process.

For more information, contact Cat Palmer, Assessment Supervisor, at 307-777-8568 or catherine.palmer@wyo.gov.

Monday memos:

• 2022-128-21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant-Cohort 15
• 2022-129-FY 2023 Local Maintenance of Equity Reporting
• 2022-130-WDE626 K-3 District Literacy Plan and Data Collection

Sincerely,

Dear Superintendents,

Knowledge has to do with the facts while wisdom has to do with the truth. In a world that has convinced so many there is only your truth and my truth – not the truth – wisdom often gets boxed out and short-changed. But historically, it was a major part of the educational process. The reason was because the ancients were convinced and convicted that knowledge tends to puff people up, while wisdom has the opposite effect.To pursue one without the other, then, has a major downside. To pursue both is to not only inform the mind (via facts & data) but also deepen it (via understanding & discernment). The latter of course is the key to weakening those deceptive student “mind blinds” while strengthening an expansive student vision.

Vision & Focus

Because just like people (just like our students), mind blinds come in all shapes and sizes: mental, emotional, psychological, spiritual, social, cultural, political and philosophical – so many varieties and a plethora of examples.

Moreover, no age group is immune.  You have childhood mind blinds (“If I’m naughty, my parents won’t love me …” or “It was my fault my parents divorced.”), adolescent mind blinds (“My identity is tied to my clothes, my popularity, my looks, my grades, my feelings …”), and adult mind blinds  (“I must make lots of money or I’m not successful!”).

Mind blinds are the lies we have come to believe as true, whether passed down by family, society, toxic brands of religion or misguided models of education.  They are as seductive as they are pervasive; though a trap, they appear to be the door to freedom.

The good news is, while a liberal arts education is not humanity’s ultimate savior, it can play an enormously powerful role in helping our students evaluate and then break free from these formidable mental strongholds – a process that begins at home with wise parents and at school with conscientious teachers.  The link between both of course is the literacy legacy, beginning first and foremost with the linguistic layer, and then continuing with all aspects of both cultural and financial literacy as well.

Primary Priority

Regarding that first layer, as the specter of a structured linguistic literacy movement in this nation continues to rise, may it serve to fortify our own commitment to literacy excellence as the foundation of everything we do in our schools.

In that vein, crystal clear clarity will be championed through the three core pieces of a stellar literacy paradigm: (1) training literacy teachers in the most effective model, (2) teaching literacy in the most effective way, and (3) testing student literacy with the most effective assessments.  Accordingly, our resolve for a structured literacy model will grow exponentially and stand existentially as Wyoming’s primary educational priority.

Wyoming Teacher Apprenticeship

This week, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) highlighted the WTA in its national update. The CCSSO is the organization of officials leading departments of education nationwide.

Earlier this week the WTA also received accolades from the U.S. Department of Labor. This is the feedback received by Michael Broad, US DOL Office of Apprenticeship in Cheyenne:

“I was contacted by Mike Qualter, Deputy Administrator with the Office of Apprenticeship, who commented on the “awesome” program! This is the first time I have received comments on a great program from anyone in D.C.”

“I was also contacted by the Colorado State Director, asking questions regarding the program. She thought this was the best K-12 Registered Apprenticeship written. She will take the information to her interested school districts.”

In the Spotlight

With more than 1.1 million military-connected students attending schools, issues of school transition are a high priority for their families. The Wyoming Purple Star School Program recognizes the efforts of Wyoming K-12 schools that are committed and supportive of military students and families as they transition to their new homes and schools. The program was designed to help with the challenges of high mobility by setting standards of commitment for the school’s award of the military-friendly Purple Star designation. All Wyoming public and private schools are eligible to apply for the Purple Star School Award.

In that spirit, we would like to congratulate and recognize Cheyenne’s Freedom Elementary and McCormick Junior High School (Laramie County School District #1) for being the first two Wyoming Schools to be awarded with the Purple Star Award – putting both schools – and Laramie #1 – ‘In the Spotlight.’

(Additional information about the Wyoming Purple Star Program, and school application, can be found here.)

Mark Your Calendars

Wyoming Digital Learning Plan Listening Sessions Set

We are seeking your feedback with the help of Marzano Research on the Wyoming Digital Learning Plan. We are going on a listening tour so you can have your thoughts heard. Your first opportunity will be from 4:50-5:30 p.m. on November 14 in Rock Springs at Sweetwater #1’s Central Administration Boardroom, 3550 Foothill Blvd. in Rock Springs, then other locations across the state.

Can’t make one of these dates? No worries! We are having a virtual session via Zoom from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on November 10, 2022; register here. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

You can find out more on the WDE’s DLP website.

But wait, there’s more…

CodeHS is partnering with the WDE to host free, in-depth professional development cohorts to prepare Wyoming K-12 teachers to take the Praxis Computer Science Exam. The course is delivered within a 14-week cohort model where teachers work through the course at the same pace on the CodeHS platform. Teachers are provided:

• 1:1 Support
• Live Lessons
• Exam Prep
• Networking Opportunities

After completing the course, teachers will also receive a $200 stipend.

Upcoming Wyoming Praxis Prep Courses: February 2-May 18 on Thursdays starting at 4 p.m.

To be eligible to register, you should be a Wyoming K-12 public school teacher preparing to add a computer science endorsement to your teaching license. Learn more about the technical requirements here and register here.

Monday memos:

• 2022-125-Webinar on English Learners and Title III Funding
• 2022-126-Wyoming Advisory Panel for Students with Disabilities
• 2022-127-Wyoming Purple Star Schools Program

Sincerely,