Federal School Accountability

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Resources

Previous Drafts

Stakeholder Input

Extensive stakeholder input was gathered through listening sessions, town halls, public meetings, individual stakeholder meetings, and online feedback opportunities to ensure that this plan puts Wyoming’s priorities first.

Summer 2016 Input

Public comment on the ESSA implementation in Wyoming was accepted through an online form through September 1, 2016. Additionally, a series of virtual town hall meetings was held to provide information and gather input on five topics related to ESSA implementation.

Fall 2016 Input

WDE staff traveled across the state to conduct listening sessions this fall

  • Nov. 3: Central Wyoming College, Student Center 103, Riverton
  • Nov. 9: Gillette College, GCMN 120 Presentation Hall, Gillette
  • Dec. 1: Western Wyoming Community College, RSC 3650 A and B Meeting Rooms, Rock Springs
  • CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER – Dec. 7: Northwest College, Fagerberg Bldg. Room 70, Powell
  • Dec. 8: Laramie County Community College, Center for Conferences and Institutes Room 121, Cheyenne

Winter 2016-17 Input

A volunteer ESSA Work Group was convened to review rough drafts of the state plan for implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Participants were sent rough drafts as completed by the Internal Design Team. Feedback was given through online surveys, webinars, and participation in select meetings of the Internal Design Team.

Spring 2017 Input

Comments on Wyoming’s draft ESSA State Plan were submitted April 24, 2017 through June 8, 2017 through an online survey, public meetings, or by mail.

ESSA Public Comment Presentation

ESSA public meetings:

  • May 4, view video recording
  • May 11, Northwest College, Fagerburg Building Rm 70, 233 W 7th Street, Powell
  • May 18, Riverton Middle School, Multipurpose Room, 840 Major Avenue, Riverton
  • June 7, Laramie Junior High School, Library, 1355 North 22nd Street, Laramie

 

The Every Student Succeeds Act

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to create a long-term, stable federal policy that gives states additional flexibility and encourages innovation, while at the same time holding us accountable for results.

  • Limits power of federal government to set education policy for states
  • Increases state flexibility to design accountability systems, interventions and student supports
  • Increases state and local flexibility in the use of federal funds
  • Gives states flexibility to work with local stakeholders to develop educator evaluation and support systems
  • Maintains annual assessments for grades 3-8 and high school

Title I School Improvement and AYP

2016-17 Requirements of Title I Improvement

As part of Wyoming’s transition to the ESSA, the Wyoming Department of Education will not be calculating AYP during the 2016-17 transition year. Schools and districts identified as being in improvement under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) will remain in their current improvement status next year.

The existing NCLB improvement interventions will continue to be implemented for one more year with two exceptions:

  1. Schools and districts are not required to provide public school choice, Supplemental Educational Services (SES), or the related notice to parents beginning with the 2016- 2017 school year. To ensure an orderly transition to the ESSA, Wyoming is developing and implementing a oneyear transition plan to ensure districts provide alternative supports for students eligible for SES and schools with the greatest need.
  2. Schools identified as being in Year 4 Planning for Restructuring will not progress to Year 5 Implementation of Restructuring. The Year 4 restructuring plans are no longer required to be approved this year at the state level by the WDE and then the Wyoming State Board of Education. Instead, the restructuring interventions selected and planned for will be included in the relevant sections of the Wyoming School Comprehensive Plan next year for review and feedback by WDE staff.

Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements

In compliance with ESSA, the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) will no longer require HQ teacher plans to be filed.

Even though HQ designation no longer exists, testing and other requirements for teacher licensure and added endorsements in all areas remain the same. W.S. 21-2-802, with rules and regulations promulgated by the Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB), remain the authority and standard Wyoming educators must meet. Teachers of record may not be placed without meeting all requirements for the assignment.

Through the WDE 602 and 652 data collections, the WDE will monitor and ensure compliance with W.S. 21-2-203, the state statute which addresses the administration of data collection from districts.

Certification FAQ

Comprehensive School Improvement Plans

Owing to changes in statute, the Comprehensive School Improvement Plans (CSIP) for the 2016-17 school year are being modified.

Portions relating to Signature Pages, Corrective Action, School Improvement Grants, and Restructuring may be deleted from plans this school year. These requirements were part of No Child Left Behind, which is being replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act. Additionally, principals who oversee multiple schools can submit one combined plan for all of their schools. When doing so, ensure that the cover page includes all applicable schools that will operate under that particular plan. An updated template will be available on the WDE accreditation web page for schools that wish to start a new plan. No changes were made to the indicators or assurances.

Plans are due December 1, allowing adequate time for school boards to approve all school plans. An email with the submission form will be sent to all principals and superintendents at the beginning of October with further instructions on submitting school plans. Plans must meet the requirements of W.S. §21-2-204(f) in order to be approved. Goals must reflect the current WAEA school performance ratings. Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) is not a component of WAEA, and any plan goals that reflect NWEA will be returned for modification.

Google Docs is the preferred platform for plan creation and modification. All plans must be made publicly available. Plans can be displayed on district websites, or each individual school’s website.

The Every Student Succeeds Act will necessitate significant changes to the CSIPs next year.

Changes to McKinney-Vento

AYP Resources for Schools