Wyoming Department of Education
122 W. 25th St, Ste E200
Cheyenne, WY 82002
307-777-7675
Category Archives: Superintendent’s Update
State Superintendent Megan Degenfelder sends an update to school district superintendents so they can see the memos which will be sent out the following week and highlight statewide education work.
This week, the United States Department of Education (USED) announced a second round of grants for a student-centered pilot. This marks a significant shift from state-selected sub-grantees to local school and district grantees. As part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), this grant could afford local flexibility from certain federal requirements. Memo 218-065 has more information.
CTE-Carl D. Perkins
Efforts to reauthorize the Carl Perkins (Career and Technical Education) Act might be resurrected. An interesting article from Bloomberg points to recent interest from the White House – specifically Ivanka Trump – motivating Senators to come back to the table to discuss reauthorization. The House passed a CTE bill nearly a year ago, and the Senate has been hung up over debate on secretarial prohibitions. If Senators Alexander and Murray can negotiate that hurdle, they may be able to reach a deal – but time is limited and the clock is ticking on highly sought after Senate floor time in this election year.
It’s always a treat to celebrate milestones and new beginnings at UW and across schools statewide. Congrats to all of your graduates as you celebrate in your communities!
UW celebrates 2018 graduation with commencement ceremonies
The WDE held public input sessions that will help inform the computer science standards development committee. There is still an opportunity to provide input online through June 3. Here is the media release with additional information about opportunities, a timeline, and links for implementing Boot Up Wyoming, our state’s computer science initiative.
There are a number of memos this week with important information and updates. As always, memos are released to Wyoming superintendents several days in advance of sending to particular educator audiences and posting to our website.
It was wonderful to see and take part in Teacher Appreciation Week 2018. Teachers are certainly the cornerstone of providing a quality education for every student and deserve every ounce of our praise.
Soon, we will release an introductory video for Boot Up Wyoming, our computer science initiative. This is the first call to action for stakeholders-parents, teachers, students, partners-to get engaged in the development of standards. The video will be available on social media and our website and will be a discussion starter at upcoming public input meetings across the state.
Several national education organizations have partnered on the “States Leading” campaign (#statesleading) to highlight education efforts. The campaign is also an opportunity to underscore how states, under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), have leveraged their increased authority and responsibility to improve student outcomes and and meet the needs of all learners.
This week Wyoming’s Computer Science initiative was highlighted nationally. Here is the blog post:
Primarily through social media, our WDE team loves to highlight how schools in Wyoming are leading with your your efforts, successes, and celebrations. Please send articles, photos, blogs, or posts our way to thom.gabrukiewicz@wyo.govso we can share.
Finally, we are settling into our new offices in the Herschler Building. Thank you for your patience as we have tried to continue business as usual despite the moving upheaval.
Chief of Staff Dicky Shanor talks with students and CSPAN during the CSPAN 50 Capitals TourChief Policy Officer Megan Degenfelder with Casper Gear Up Youth of the Year, John Dunkerley, and Casper Mayor Ray Pacheco
It’s moving day at the WDE! We are now located at 122 West 25th Street. This is the newly re-constructed east wing of the Herschler Building. WDE occupies the 2nd floor. Please stop by to see us, say hello, and take a tour!
NOTE our new letterhead design and address beginning with this week’s memos.
Rita Watson was the last holdout at the Hathaway on Thursday before the move to Herschler
RECOGNITION OF MILITARY FAMILIES IN APRIL AND MAY
Even though there are only a few days left in the month of April, many of us took the opportunity to recognize and appreciate military children for their service and sacrifice during April, the Month of the Military Child. Military children live with on-going challenges presented by frequent moves, family separations, and life transitions. They move 6-9 times during their K-12 years. In their own way, military-connected children serve, too.
May is Military Appreciation Month and another opportunity to recognize families and children connected to the military, including the National Guard members in our communities across Wyoming. The well-being of all military-connected children and youth depends on a strong, consistent network of supportive adults. Parents, teachers, mentors, and role models play a pivotal role in the life of a military child. Here is a toolkit with resources to learn how to help support all military children http://www.militarychild.org/momc-tool-kit.
FEDERAL UPDATES
In March, The White House school safety commission chaired by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos held its first meeting. The U.S. Dept. of Ed has told advocates it plans to reach out to the education community and hold forums around the country in the future. You can learn more in this fact sheet, released by the White House in March.
One more update on federal funding for education:
Congress passed and the President signed the Fiscal Year 2018 omnibus through September 30. The omnibus includes $70.9 billion for the Department of Education, increasing federal investments in education by $3.9 billion over last fiscal year, or about 6 percent. Importantly, the FY 2018 omnibus includes a $300 million increase for Title I, the most important driver of equity in the federal education budget. Title II funding, which supports states in preparing learner-ready teachers, is preserved at FY 2017 levels. Also, in light of recent tragic violent events in schools across the country, this bill includes $1.1 billion – an increase of $700 million – for Title IV-A to support school climate and safety initiatives. This bill also includes the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act, funded at $75 million for the remainder of this fiscal year.
Congress is now working on legislation to fund Fiscal Year 2019. Appropriations requests letters are due to House Appropriators by April 26, and to the Senate by June 1.
169 students received a Congressional Award for Youth last Sunday in Cheyenne
Wyoming made a big splash with the release of NAEP scores this week. In addition to consistently performing above average in grades 4, 8 in both math and reading, Wyoming is closing achievement gaps for economically disadvantaged and special education students. Students across the state are taking advantage of educational opportunities that are a result of equitable and adequate funding. Here is a link to the press release for Wyoming NAEP scores:
The WY-TOPP summative assessment window opens next week. Our staff, AIR, and your coordinators will all have resources to provide technical assistance as needed.
NAEP Day panel with superintendents from DoDEA, CA, and FLState Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) hears from the UW Portfolio Management class who invest a portion of Wyoming’s sovereign wealth on Thursday
Just four years ago, professional development opportunities provided by WDE were frequently canceled due to lack of participants. Because of the work we’ve done together, that is never the case today. Our model for delivering statewide professional development has quality, relevance, and input from Wyoming educators in the driver’s seat. I often reiterate that prophets need not come from a foreign land, nor do the best trainings need to take our educators out of the state. Included in this week’s memos are the results from a recent professional development survey. Results indicate that we are all on the same track and moving forward on a path that will help improve student outcomes.
We all know that no matter how dynamic a speaker or idea may be, change is unlikely without follow-up, accountability, and a school culture change that supports transformation. The survey results confirm this–districts value peer support, leadership development, and increased knowledge about new requirements. That is precisely what we aim to deliver using both Title II and general fund dollars.
Here is a snapshot of survey results (full results in memos) that summarize what 805 Wyoming educators indicated what Title II professional development should include:
Support high-quality instruction and instructional leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), including computer science.
Integrate technology into curricula and instruction, which may include training to assist teachers in implementing blended learning projects.
Instructional strategies to integrate career and technical education (CTE) content into academic instructional practices.
Teacher and leader certification to expand options and expertise.
Include early educators in professional development to close crucial school readiness gaps.
Develop school and district leaders who are prepared to lead a culture that promotes improved student outcomes and excellent teachers.
STATEWIDE SYSTEM OF SUPPORT AND PLCs:
We are all very excited to kick off the next phase of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) this month. In preparation, I’ve had conversations with many of you and visited schools across the state. Without exception every school is inspired by and working towards strong PLCs–but every school is unique and in a different stage of growth. One key to success is for you to continue talking to us–when we are in your communities, on surveys, and during conversations, about the successes and challenges so we can learn from each other. Below is an important opportunity.
This week, we officially launched Boot Up Wyoming 2022, our Computer Science Initiative. Here is a link to the release:
2017 NAEP scores for reading and math will be released on April 10. Four states were invited to participate in the live release, including Wyoming. Wyoming outperformed most states in reading and math in most grades in 2015. While the NAEP is one measure, it’s important because it’s stable from year to year and offers a true state comparison. At the state level, NAEP is an excellent thermometer to help us gauge the health of our education system. Here are links to 2015 scores and the event page:
Included in this week’s memos is a summary of legislation passed that WDE will be implementing. Where possible, we’ve included timelines, analyses, and additional information. Notably, we will visit districts to develop baseline information for the Computer Science Standards Development Committee. If there are specific activities and/or people we should include during our visit, please let us know. We are geared up to kick off the computer science initiative next week.
ABOVE: I visited Area 59, a makerspace, in Gillette this week. Ian Scott (right) is the director of the facility and works with business, industry, K-12, and Gillette College to ensure that maker experiences are valuable. Ian, Area 59, and the makerspace will be featured during this summer’s Roadmap to STEM conference. Also pictured is Paul Hladky (left) who supports the makerspace.
ABOVE: Wyoming Ag in the Classroom (WAIC) has worked with teachers and partners for over two years to develop high quality curricular materials aligned to Wyoming’s new science standards. Specifically, WAIC focused on science in Wyoming including agriculture and natural resources. The above group of business, industry, and policy partners has worked to ensure information in the curricula is accurate and relevant for Wyoming’s students. The first materials will be available for teachers this year. Historically, Wyoming Ag in the Classroom has provided activities, not curriculum and their work will be immensely valuable as new standards are implemented.
Federally, final congressional action and the President’s signature are expected today on education funding that lasts through September. Here’s a summary of Title funds:
There is a $300 million increase for Title I, the most important driver of equity in the federal education budget. Title II funding, which supports teacher preparation and professional development, is preserved at FY 2017 levels. Also, in light of recent tragic violent events in schools across the country, this bill includes $1.1 billion – an increase of $700 million – for Title IV-A to support school climate and safety initiatives.
The bill also includes the recently House-passed Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act, funded at $75 million for the remainder of this fiscal year. The funding is made through the Dept. of Justice, not Education, so I’ll be working in the coming days to determine if Wyoming has access to a portion of these funds and what parameters are in place.
