CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Education, Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board, and the University of Wyoming will host a joint, hybrid media event at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 15 in the Capitol Complex Auditorium, Basement-Level of the Herschler Building. Superintendent Megan Degenfelder will lead the celebration of the collaborative effort culminating in the launch of the WYOEd Professional Development Portal, providing districts and educators across Wyoming with a single, user-friendly resource for all aspects of professional development.

Media partners participating online can register here.

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Media Contact:
Linda Finnerty, Communications Director
307-777-2053
linda.finnerty@wyo.gov

CHEYENNE – Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder is traveling the state in September and October on a Tour of Excellence.

The visits align with Degenfelder’s WDE Strategic Plan, released earlier this year, furthering the initiative on valuing and supporting teachers. The Tour of Excellence will feature five school districts identified to be excelling in special education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), art excellence, civic excellence, and personalized learning – also the focus of each district’s selected District Teacher of the Year. Throughout the visits, the Superintendent will highlight the work of individual schools and in the classroom by exceptional educators across the state.

“I am excited to visit these districts and witness firsthand the great work being done to support and educate Wyoming’s children,” Degenfelder said. “I’m confident that we will learn from each interaction and work together to have the most transparent, efficient, and excellent education system in the nation.”

Degenfelder kicked off the visits with Albany County School District #1, where three schools showcased their special education programs. She then traveled to Weston County School District #7 to observe personalized learning in action and the CTE program.

“We are very excited to have Superintendent Degenfelder in Upton as part of the Tour of Excellence,” said Weston County School District #7 Superintendent Clark Coberly. “As a small district, we strive to meet the individual needs of our students using a Personalized Learning approach and by offering a wide array of career-based programs. In doing so, we hope to show that there are many paths to attain excellence.”

The tour will also include stops at Park County School District #6, Sublette County School District #1, and Fremont County School District #6.

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Media Contact:
Linda Finnerty, Communications Director
307-777-2053
linda.finnerty@wyo.gov

Cheyenne – The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) will participate in the National Day of Service and Remembrance to honor and thank local first responders and public servants for their dedication to our community. Staff members from the WDE will drop off treats, cards of support, and more to Cheyenne and Laramie County employees on Monday, September 11, 2023.

Superintendent Megan Degenfelder has encouraged every individual at the WDE to foster a tradition of service to model being a good community partner and a civically engaged American citizen.

“As we champion citizenship for students as part of our strategic plan, it is important that we as adults and education leaders model what it means to be a citizen with public efforts such as the National Day of Service. We are grateful for the men and women who serve our community and help keep us safe. Thank you to all first responders and public servants!”

The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance is a federally-recognized National Day of Service that happens on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Many Americans engage in some form of charitable service, making 9/11 Day the largest annual day of charitable service in the United States.

WDE team members will visit the offices of the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, Laramie County Emergency Management Agency, Laramie County Fire Department, Cheyenne Police Department, American Medical Response (EMTs), Cheyenne Fire and Rescue, Wyoming Military Department Joint Forces Readiness Center, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, City of Cheyenne Public Works Department, and Laramie County Public Works Department.

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Media Contact:
Linda Finnerty, Communications Director
307-777-2053
linda.finnerty@wyo.gov

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Education will host a hybrid media event to discuss assessment results for the 2022-23 school year at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 6 in the Capitol Complex Auditorium, Basement Level of the Herschler Building. Superintendent Degenfelder will be joined by representatives from district and school leadership.

Media partners participating online can register here.

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Media Contact:
Linda Finnerty, Communications Director
307-777-2053
linda.finnerty@wyo.gov

Cheyenne – The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) has released results for the 2022-23 Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress (WY-TOPP) and Wyoming Alternate Assessment (WY-ALT). Full assessment data is available here. District by district snapshots can be found here by content area and grade. A Parents & Community Members Overview outlining the assessment process and additional current results can be found here.

Wyoming’s 2022-23 assessment results show slight increases in overall proficiency rates within each content area. Overall student proficiency rates increased in English Language Arts (ELA) by 0.5%, in Math by 0.7%, and in Science by 1% compared to 2021-22. However, proficiency rates in ELA in grades 4, 5, 7 and in Math in grades 4 and 9 declined slightly.

The WY-TOPP assessment began in 2017-18. In the spring of 2020, school districts received a waiver allowing them to forgo assessment, therefore no data was produced. Although the 2022-23 results show proficiency rate increases in all three content areas, they remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels, ranging from 1-2% below the 2018-19 scores.

*Chart includes all tested grade levels.

“Overall increases in assessment scores, no matter how minor, is promising, as our schools continue to work to achieve pre-pandemic levels. Many districts saw double-digit growth in content areas and/or grades and that should be celebrated. But overall, we must do better. While our state standards and assessment cut scores are set intentionally high, proficiency below 50% in any content area or grade isn’t good enough. It wouldn’t be good enough in the private sector, and it isn’t good enough for our kids. At the WDE, we are actively working to bolster our statewide system of support and will directly work with schools and districts to improve these assessment scores,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder.

“This year we are releasing education data in a more transparent manner than ever before and are including resources for parents to better understand the data,” Degenfelder said.

The buck stops at student success. Districts showing promising impacts on progress by achieving proficiency rates above 70% include but are not limited to:

• Unita #4 – 74.% in Science (increased this year by 18.6%).
• Washakie #2 – 70.8% in ELA (above 70% for the last two years).
• Sheridan #1 – 70.7% in ELA  (steady growth since 2019) .
• Hot Springs #1 – 70.5% in Math (up from 66% the last two years).

Thayne Elementary School is a true bright spot with significant increases in performance in both ELA and Math. The school’s ELA proficiency increased by 18.9% and Math proficiency rose by 22.3%. Hot Springs County High School increased its ELA proficiency by 29.7%, recovering after a previous year’s drop of 10.10%. Additionally, they increased in Math by 22.3%.

Wyoming students in the assessed grades had an overall 99% participation rate on the WY-TOPP and WY-ALT assessments. Participation of virtual education students rose significantly to 93%, up from 85% from the previous year.

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Media Contact:
Linda Finnerty, Communications Director
307-777-2053
linda.finnerty@wyo.gov

Cheyenne – The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) has released results for the 2022-23 School Performance Ratings. Full school performance rating data can be found here. A three ratings period snapshot by district can be found here. A Parent & Community Member Overview, outlining the accountability process and additional current results can be found here.

A steady increase in school performance ratings following the COVID-19 shut down in spring 2020 indicates a promising trend, however work remains to exceed pre-pandemic numbers. 26% of schools improved their school performance rating this evaluation period. 53% of schools remained in the same performance rating and 21% of schools declined. Five alternative schools increased performance into the Exceeding Expectations category, and 35.7% of alternative schools increased one or more levels. 57.1% of schools remained at the same performance rating and 7.1% of schools declined. Additional support is available for any schools performing at a less than favorable level to help them return to excellence.

“It is very encouraging to see this upward trend in performance ratings for Wyoming schools, and I want to especially recognize the 12 schools in particular that are maintaining a rating of Exceeding Expectations for a third year in a row. While we celebrate the majority of schools improving or remaining constant in their overall performance, we must do better for those students in the 21% of schools that declined in performance. At WDE, we are already actively working to bolster our statewide system of support and will work directly with these schools and districts. We won’t stop until every school is meeting expectations,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder.

“School performance ratings are based primarily on academic achievement. However, they provide a more comprehensive analysis of school performance by also including aspects of student academic growth (year to year increases in achievement levels) and a measure of how prepared the students are for success after graduation. This year we are publishing more resources for parents to better understand the school performance data and will continue to release education data in a more transparent manner than ever before,” said Degenfelder.

Notably, one quarter of Wyoming’s schools have moved up one or more levels in school performance, reflecting the outstanding effort of our students and educators. With a school wide focus, Rock River K-12 was able to move from Not Meeting Expectations to Exceeding Expectations.

“These results are truly a reflection of what our entire staff has been working on the last three years,” said Stacie Anfinson, Rock River Principal. “Rock River is a rural, K-12 school, where all teachers in our building are dedicated to students’ success both academically and socially. We’re seeing growth across all of our levels and it is very validating to see our elementary students make such tremendous growth. I can’t even begin to express how proud I am of our students, teachers, and staff at The Rock!”

Skyline Alternative High School in Pindale made a significant move from Partially Meeting Expectations to Exceeding Expectations. Also, 12 Wyoming schools maintained the level of Exceeding Expectations for the third consecutive year in a row. See this list of schools in the Parents & Community Members Overview here.

As part of the WAEA and the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), schools that are struggling most based on the school performance ratings are identified for support from the WDE. Supports include statewide professional development, district accreditation, school improvement planning, monitoring, and onsite technical support. Based on this year’s updated School Performance Ratings, schools will be identified for ongoing support.

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Media Contact:
Linda Finnerty, Communications Director
307-777-2053
linda.finnerty@wyo.gov

Cheyenne – The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE), Career and Technical Education (CTE) Team announces three districts who will receive WDE State Career and Technical Education Grants. Weston County School District #7 (WCSD #7), Sheridan County School District #2 (SCSD #2), and Sheridan County School District #3 (SCSD #3) will each receive up to $50,000 a year over two years from the WDE. These funds will support the purchase of supplies, materials and equipment for a new or existing career and technical education program in their districts.

“Our number one goal in education is to prepare students for good, high paying jobs, ideally right here in Wyoming, where they can fulfill their greatest passions and achieve the American dream. Career and technical education is truly the key in achieving this goal and why I believe so passionately in CTE programs across the state,” says State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder.  

WCSD #7 plans to use the funds to build a greenhouse and support innovation in agriculture in the state. SCSD #2 will purchase a CNC plasma table and simulator to ensure students have the skills required to use high-tech equipment for manufacturing. 

“We are extremely grateful for this opportunity to support our agricultural education program in the area of plant science. The grant will also allow us to educate younger students through our partnership with the Bobcat Adventures 21st Century Community Learning Center program at our elementary. We look forward to collaborating with businesses and the community as a whole in Upton to ensure our students are career-ready when they graduate from Upton High School,” says Clark Coberly, Superintendent of Weston County School District #7.

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Media Contact:
Linda Finnerty, Communications Director
307-777-2053
linda.finnerty@wyo.gov

Cheyenne – One of Wyoming’s most valuable resources is the rich environment in which we live. Diverse in its landscapes, flora and fauna, climates, and history- our state offers an incredible learning environment for our children to explore. The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) is launching the Get Wild Wyoming initiative to tear down the walls of Wyoming classrooms so kids can get wild through nature-based education.

Take a look at the Get Wild Wyoming webpage to learn more about the positive effects of spending time outdoors. You can also find ideas for outdoor learning activities and tips to enhance mental and physical wellness while spending time outside. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to receive regular updates through those channels.

“Growing up in Wyoming with my family having a ranch, I was fortunate to develop a passion for the great outdoors while hunting, fishing and climbing. I am a firm believer in the role that activity and the outdoors play in supporting mental, educational, and emotional wellbeing; and I am passionate about ensuring every child in Wyoming has access to these benefits. This initiative with some of our Wyoming preschools is the first step in those efforts,” says State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Megan Degenfelder.

A total of 14 classrooms at six Pre-K sites, including Basic Beginnings in Laramie, Natrona County Child Development Center in Casper, Sweetwater County Child Development Center in Green River, Teton Literacy Center in Jackson, and Evanston Child Development Center in Evanston, have joined the WDE to receive packages with goodies from the WDE and our statewide partners that encourage healthy learning and exploring outdoors.

The WDE is giving participating pre-K sites wagons filled with water bottles, sunglasses, sun shades, bug spray, and first aid kits to ensure their students can enjoy time outside safely. Wyoming State Parks will provide students with Junior Ranger passports, events focused on children and families, and special tours that families can request; Wyoming Game and Fish is sharing scratch and find scavenger hunt booklets and prizes for those who complete the activity; and the Wyoming Department of Health is providing sunscreen.

“We wanted to start this initiative because outdoor education creates the perfect setting for learning in all content areas. Unstructured time outdoors promotes creativity, curiosity and refines executive functioning skills all while breathing in fresh air. Research shows that stress and depression are lower in people that spend more time outside, so it makes sense to get our kids outside more,” says Amy Reyes, a State Early Learning Specialist with the WDE. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our youngest learners to get out and see the natural resources Wyoming has to offer. I am so excited to see this come together.”

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Media Contact:
Linda Finnerty, Communications Director
307-777-2053
linda.finnerty@wyo.gov

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Education seeks public comment on the proposed  Chapter 36 and Chapter 37 Rules pertaining to W.S. 21-12-105 and 21-13-337: Career and Technical Education. Public comment may be submitted online, or via email until 11:59 p.m. on September 18, 2023. All public comments will be recorded verbatim, including the submitter’s name and city of residence, on the Secretary of State’s website as part of the rules promulgation process. See the public comment form to view the Statement of Reasons for the changes and the strike and underline versions of the rule sets.

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Media Contact:
Linda Finnerty, Communications Director
307-777-2053
linda.finnerty@wyo.gov

The Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board (WCSAB) will conduct its first meeting starting at 11:00 a.m. on August 3rd. The board will undergo training on the history of charter schools in Wyoming, board etiquette, and will work to establish its operating procedures. The meeting will be held in the Wyoming State Capitol Extension – Public Meeting Room #6 or a virtual option will be available to the public to join. 

WCSAB was initiated by the legislature during the 2023 session with a mission to approve high-quality public charter schools in the state. The board is made up of individuals from across the state with a variety of backgrounds to ensure a wide breadth of input is taken into account as they work to enhance the availability of high-quality charter schools in Wyoming. 

The board is composed of the three appointees of the Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction, which includes Cindy DeLancey of Cheyenne, Joseph Feiler of Casper, and Mitchell Schwab of Afton; three appointees of the Wyoming Governor, which includes John Masters of Cheyenne, Janine Bay Teske of Jackson, and Doug Chamberlain of La Grange; the State Board of Education’s designee, Fred Von Ahrens Jr. of Green River; and the University of Wyoming College of Education Dean’s designee, Dr. Alan Buss of Laramie. 

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Media Contact:
Linda Finnerty, Communications Director
307-777-2053
linda.finnerty@wyo.gov