Dear Superintendents,
There is only one memo this week as we get ready to release the next round of assessment results.
Memo to be released on Monday, July 31:
Jillian
Category Archives: Superintendent’s Update
Practitioner Panels for Recalibration
Dear Superintendents,
There are no memos this week. Below is a link to a letter from the chairmen of the Recalibration Committee on School Finance:
Letter from Chairmen Coe and Sommers on Practitioner Panels
Jillian
Summer Days
Dear Superintendents,
Just a short and sweet update this week as the summer days fly by. PAWS scores were released yesterday and you can view the news release here. Thank you all for your help reviewing student data so we could get this information out quickly.
Memos to be released on Monday, July 17:
- 2017-080: Upcoming Changes to the WDE949 & WDE950
- 2017-081: CTE 2017-18 Service Plan Timeline
Jillian
Summer Conferences
Dear Superintendents,
It’s been a privilege to attend and greet participants at education and education services conferences this summer. Wyoming schools are amazing from the boardroom to the lunchroom to the classroom. Thank you for empowering your people to grow as professionals!
Memo to be released on Monday, June 26:
Jillian
School Funding Discussion
Dear Superintendents,
Summertime for me has become synonymous with lots of time on the roads of Wyoming–and I love it. Educators are engaged in professional development. Communities hold celebrations. And, our family embarks on a few trips “just for fun.”
There are also lots of meetings—more than usual. This week many of us attended the legislative committee discussion on school funding. Here are a few of my takeaways:
- Groups that don’t normally attend education meetings were engaged including Wyoming Taxpayers Association, Liberty Group, Business Alliance, County Commissioners, and Municipalities.
- WDE and the LSO presented information that laid out the finer details of the funding model and how local school districts are adapting to the current mandatory cuts.
- After the presentation, the committee discussion steadily moved to the same impasse that we saw during the session—to tax or not to tax. All of us know that it’s not quite this simple but no consensus emerged among members, nor was that the intent.
- School construction entered the conversation. This is essential moving forward and a topic that was not a significant part of the discussion during the legislative session.
The discussion about education funding is still in the beginning stage. There is both a sense of urgency and importance among legislative members. After the meeting, a different group convened to select a funding model consultant. This is a key decision that will steer the conversation going forward.
Memos to be released on Monday, June 19:
- 2017-078: Future Ready Summit Postponed
Jillian
Recalibration Meeting
Dear Superintendents,
Next week’s educational funding recalibration meeting will be live streamed by WyomingPBS. Here is the information:
WyomingPBS will live stream the Wyoming Legislature’s June 12 meeting beginning at 8 a.m. of the Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration and the Joint Revenue Committee. The committees will meet jointly to discuss solutions to the projected budget shortfall for funding related to public education in the state of Wyoming. The Committees will review and identify new revenue sources or diversion of existing revenue streams or sources for the support of generally funded operations of the Wyoming state government and public schools in Wyoming to offset the deficits in state government operations and in public education for school operations, school facilities and major maintenance.
“This live stream and archive are part of WyomingPBS’s expanded coverage of the State Legislature,” said WyomingPBS General Manager Terry Dugas. “A core part of our mission is to help Wyoming residents stay informed on topics of critical importance to the state.”
“I’m pleased that WyomingPBS is providing this opportunity for constituents to watch their elected representatives take on the challenge of finding solutions to our state’s complex school funding shortfall as they work in committee and hear from experts,” said WyomingPBS Public Affairs Producer Craig Blumenshine.
The live stream can be accessed at WyomingPBS’s website www.wyomingpbs.org. The meeting will also be archived at wyomingpbs.org/legislature
NO MEMOS THIS WEEK
Jillian
Our Amazing Teachers
Dear Superintendents,
Early this week, I lost a teacher and lifelong friend–JuLan Decker–she was 82. Undoubtedly, family, friends, and students will celebrate her life and contributions in the coming days. Mrs. Decker’s greatest attribute was her kindness–we entered class as her students and left as her friends. There are so many amazing teachers who deserve recognition in their chosen field, in their communities, and in our state. Here are a few ways we are making inroads:
1. TOYs
Despite the downturn in state revenue and mandatory cuts at the Wyoming Department of Education, we are growing the Wyoming Teacher of the Year (WTOY) program–though not financially. Historically, the WTOY received a stipend and traveled to Washington, DC for recognition and celebration–that was about it. Over the past two years, I’ve worked to place WTOYs into state leadership and policy positions. They’ve also been great sports whenever I thrust them into the spotlight as ambassadors for their profession.
–Amy Pierson-2016–
Amy is participating in Leadership Wyoming, class of 2018, and is on the governing committee for the University of Wyoming Trustees Education Initiative. She has spoken at multiple events sponsored by WDE and others. Amy represented Wyoming teachers during halftime of the 2017 College Football National Championship game in Florida.
–Ryan Fuhrman-2017–
Ryan was appointed to the Wyoming State Board of Education. He met with Secretary DeVos and advocated for Title IV-B and STEM in Wyoming schools. He will participate in and be recognized at Cheyenne Frontier Days. More events are TBD for Ryan.
There are countless opportunities for district and state TOYs to be recognized and I intend to see the WTOY program continue to grow. At the national level, the TOY program is also on the move. The Council for Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) sponsors the TOY program and is using the program as a springboard to spotlight the education workforce. Through a major initiative, all states are called upon to to encourage teaching innovation, learn from other professional and leadership sectors, and apply new principles to transform the teaching and educational leadership professions. Wyoming will participate fully in this initiative.
2. TEI
The University of Wyoming is steeped in the work of the Trustees Education Initiative (TEI) for which I serve as a member of the coordinating council. This initiative will use evidence and best practice to move the UW College of Education from above average to preeminent. Here is more information about the progress of the TEI: http://www.uwyo.edu/trust_
3. Pipeline
Wyoming’s equity in education plan reveals a shortage of special education teachers, especially in rural areas. Because of competitive salaries and an adequate pipeline of teachers, Wyoming has been mostly immune to the extreme teacher shortages other states face. Of course, with impending cuts to Wyoming education, this could change. It’s vital that we continue to uphold the teaching profession as a funding priority and encourage our brightest to pursue it as a career. For example, we are exploring ways to recruit more Native American Wyomingites into the teaching profession. Also, we need to consider leadership opportunities within schools, retention incentives for the best teachers, and more strategies to develop beginning teachers into master teachers. Here is a link to the 2015 Equity Plan: https://edu.wyoming.gov/
Memo to be released on Monday, June 5:
- 2017-077: Impact of ESSA on Teacher Certification Requirements and Assignments
- 2017-077a: Teacher Certification Requirements Under ESSA FAQ
Jillian
New Statewide Assessment Named WY-TOPP
Dear Superintendents,
School visits are a highlight of being the State Superintendent. This week we made a special visit to a 6th grade classroom and celebrated the winner of the contest to name the new statewide assessment. The assessment is newly minted as the Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress, or WY-TOPP:
Media Release on School Visit for WY-TOPP
Of course students liked hearing that the test will be shorter, in color, and online. In the coming weeks, as the contract with American Institute for Research (AIR) is finalized, we will release details about WY-TOPP. Dates we know now:
Load Test: Sept. 5, 2017
Fall Standards Based Interim (SBI-optional): Oct. 23, 2017 – Nov. 17, 2017
Winter Standards Based Interim (SBI-optional): Jan. 16, 2018 – Feb. 9, 2018
Modular Interims (SBM-optional): Available All Year
Standards Based Summative (SBS): April 16, 2018 – May 11, 2018
Education and Economic Diversity in Wyoming
Several weeks ago, I shared a letter regarding my concerns about not having education well-represented on the executive committee of a new statewide initiative called Economically Needed Diversity Options for Wyoming, or ENDOW. I’m resharing the letter and the response from Governor Mead:
This week the steering committee for the Wyoming Business Alliance met in Casper–I serve as an honorary member on this committee. Education was the main focus of the meeting: funding, Wyoming Excels, and student outcomes. We all recognize that strong relationships between business/industry and education are essential. Education is a major player in economic development and diversity. Our great education system enhances our communities and makes moving or staying in Wyoming even more appealing. Since ENDOW is a broad based, multi-year effort, please consider how you and other education leaders can be part of the effort moving forward.
Memo to be released on Tuesday, May 30:
Jillian
Two Years of Updates
Dear Superintendents,
I have been writing weekly updates for about two years now. The endeavor began in response to your request for regular communication from me. From the beginning, I’ll confess, I intended to delegate the task. However, personally writing the update has become a reflection for me and I regularly hear from you about how the brief update and preview of memos is appreciated. Here are a few items I try to provide:
- talking points when reports and data are released
- upcoming activities or events
- federal updates
- major events that I attend with a short reflection or connection to the work we do
- updates on initiatives like CTE, coding, standards work, the new assessment
- upcoming professional development opportunities
I remain resolute in having an exclusive audience from Friday until Monday. Superintendents are the only group that receives the update and weekly memos before a public release on Monday. This gives you an opportunity to preview the memos before they are blasted to specific audiences on Monday morning.
I’m always open to hearing how the updates could be more helpful to you. Previously, I’ve stopped writing during the summer months. For this summer I intend to send frequent updates because we are moving forward with important work that will drive how you open your schools in the fall.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Over the past two and a half years, we have worked hard to ensure that all WDE-sponsored professional development is high quality, relevant to your needs, low cost or free, and aligned to our statewide and multi-tiered systems of support. Please check our website and social media frequently. We will utilize social media to a greater degree and as a main source of information for stakeholders. Please share the links to join the WDE social media stream:
Memos to be released on Monday, May 22:
- 2017-071: Eclipse Safety Information
- 2017-072: Wyoming Science Standards Workshop
- 2017-073: Virtual Education Advisory Committee
- 2017-074: Revised Wyoming Switchboard Network Website
- 2017-075: Wyoming Innovations in Learning Conference – Call for Proposals
Jillian
Shoshone Business Council Meeting
Dear Superintendents,
Several members of the WDE staff and I had the opportunity to spend time in Fremont County this week. The main purpose was to talk with the Shoshone Business Council about ESSA. We also held listening sessions, participated in a tri-district discussion about the implementation of the Indian Education for All bill, met with Fremont #1 leaders, and spoke about education with community groups.
ESSA requires deliberate and formal consultation with tribal governments and we were able to “mark that box.” More importantly, the discussion was part of an ongoing dialogue about Native American learners and schools. At the forefront of our conversations was school improvement.
ESSA gives states the latitude to tailor school and district improvement strategies more so than under NCLB. The SIG program no longer exists, and instead there is a 7% state set-aside under Title I for school improvement activities (which is an increase from the 4% required by NCLB and is intended to offset the elimination of SIG). ESSA is prescriptive about identifying schools for the most comprehensive and targeted interventions and support but specific evidence-based strategies are left up to states. As we move closer to implementing our ESSA state plan, we will work together to build out specific needs, evaluation, and incentives for school improvement.
Memos to be released on Monday, May 15:
- 2017-064: Verification Due – WDE949 Credits Earned For Alternative and Non-Alternative Schools
- 2017-065: Wyoming Advisory Panel for Students with Disabilities
- 2017-066: 21CCLC: Upcoming Cohort 12 Intent to Apply
- 2071-066a: Notice of Intent to Apply
- 2017-067: Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools
- 2017-068: School Improvement Plans and Assurances
- 2017-069: 8th Annual Native American Education Conference
- 2017-070: Multi-Tiered System of Support District Coaching Opportunity
- 2017-070a: MTSS District Coaching Application
- 2017-070b: MTSS District Coaching FAQ
Jillian