Tag Archives: State Board of Education

New Wyoming Science Standards Finalized

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CHEYENNE – Governor Matt Mead has signed and approved the new Wyoming Science Content and Performance Standards, marking the first update to the science standards since 2003.

“I made a commitment to the voters of Wyoming to include all voices in the standards review, development, and adoption process, and this week marks the conclusion of a nearly two year effort to deliver on that pledge.” said State Superintendent Jillian Balow. “Today, thanks to an inclusive process and a notable effort by Wyoming Department of Education staff and the standards review committee, we have world class standards that prepare our students for the next steps in life, teach them about science topics in Wyoming’s back yard, and foster a love for science.”

A review committee convened in the Spring of 2015, and recommended a draft set of standards which were approved by the State Board of Education (SBE) on September 23, 2016. During the review process WDE staff conducted numerous town halls around the state, facilitated standards review committee meetings, presented at SBE meetings, and participated in specific input sessions with key stakeholders such as parents, the Petroleum Association of Wyoming, and Wyoming Ag in the Classroom. This new Wyoming process has received national recognition as a best practice for state standards review.

Superintendent Balow added: “It was only by taking the measured and collaborative approach to this process that we were truly able to arrive at uniquely Wyoming and nationally rigorous standards.”

Several features of the new science standards are unique. A bucking horse symbol denotes standards where Wyoming examples are given or can be considered to help support the teaching of Wyoming-specific science. Also, the standards include “cross-cutting” where science concepts are connected to the application of other science topics, engineering, technology, or mathematics.

“We are grateful to our dedicated team of Wyoming educators, parents,  and business leaders for their hard work in developing these new science standards, and Laurie Hernandez and her team at the Department of Education for helping to make them a reality,” said Pete Gosar, chairman of the SBE. “Wyoming’s State Board of Education is committed to ensuring Wyoming kids have access to the best education available. These new science standards will better prepare them for college, career and entrepreneurship in Wyoming and beyond.”

School districts will have until the start of the 2020-21 school year to fully implement the new standards in their curriculum, instruction, and assessment system.

Other videos, created by the Science Standards Review Committee, will soon be available, including Resources, Instructional Shifts, Integrated Approach for Middle School, and Bundles for grades K-5.

For more details on Wyoming’s Science Content and Performance Standards standards and the review process, go to https://edu.wyoming.gov/educators/standards/science/.

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Media Contact:
Kari Eakins, Communications Director
kari.eakins@wyo.gov
307-777-2053

Majority of State Board of Education Votes to Keep Superintendent’s Vote

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CHEYENNE – At a meeting yesterday, members of the State Board of Education voted to recommend keeping the State Superintendent as a voting member of the board. After significant debate, the board chair and only one other member voted in favor of  removing the Superintendent’s vote. This represents a significant change from two years ago when the board recommended to the legislature that the State Superintendent be stripped of their vote. “I am proud of the majority of the board for working to move on from the chaos of the past. There is simply no need for power plays any longer,” stated State Superintendent Jillian Balow.

The motion came during a discussion about an upcoming report to the Joint Education Committee about the need for the board coordinator position. During the 2016 legislative session, the Joint Appropriations Committee voted to remove the position that was created in 2012. Later in the session, the coordinator position was added back into the budget for one year. According to Communications Director, Kari Eakins, the position was created during a time of strife and leadership turnover at the WDE. “Statutorily, the WDE is charged with supporting the work of the board. In recent years, this was not always done in good faith. Now, and historically, the board has WDE staff support that goes above and beyond statutory requirements.” In addition to the coordinator position, the WDE provides a full time education consultant. WDE staff also supports communications for the board and carries out its work.

“The strength of the board is its members. We have made immense progress over the past couple of years and need to continue to work together to address fiscal challenges and keep moving forward to improve outcomes for students. The best way to do that is to work together as we are expected to do. Debating education governance is a stagnant discussion,” Balow added.

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August 18th State Board of Education Meeting Board Packet

Media Contact:
Kari Eakins, Communications Director
kari.eakins@wyo.gov
307-777-2053