Dear Superintendents,
Memos and this update are released to superintendents on Friday for weekend review. The same information becomes public on Monday.
I’d like to underscore a couple of memos this week:
First, there were changes to the literacy and dyslexia statute during the 2019 legislative session. The WDE and many others have rallied over the past year to identify best practices, provide training, and ensure that implementation of the law results in improved literacy teaching and learning. Here are two articles that highlight some of the hard work in our state:
- https://news.yale.edu/2019/08/12/haskins-builds-bridges-between-scientists-and-educators-summer-institute
- https://www.ksnblocal4.com/scottsbluff/content/news/Goshen-County-teachers-will-receive-another-tool-to-help-students-560838391.html
Second, as of the 2018 session, Wyoming has a new state song, Wyoming Where I Belong. The associated memo provides music teacher-friendly resources and standards alignment information. It’s a beautiful song that students will love to learn.
In the News
Wyoming received another substantial grant for computer science education. This time the grant is a federal Perkins grant for innovation and modernization. I am so proud of the partnerships that are the key to moving forward.
When we are serious about preparing students, we quickly recognize that education decisions aren’t made in a vacuum. Thanks to schools, business, and best practice partners:
- Carbon County School District #1
- Fremont County School District #14
- Uinta County School District #1
- University of Wyoming
- Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board
- Wyoming Workforce Development Council
- Computer Science Teachers Association, Wyoming Chapter
- American Institutes for Research
Laurel Ballard and the WDE team have done an outstanding job leading this charge!
UPCOMING DATES
- October 23 – Postmark to WDE – Holiday cards for military
- October 31 – Deadline extended – Wyoming’s “I Voted” sticker contest
- October 31 – Essays due – How I will be a part of Wyoming history?
- November 6-8 – Innovations Conference
Chelsie, Aimee, Danielle, and Michelle are part of the WDE team that made S5S a success last week
National Title I Conference is Rebranded
The National ESEA Conference will convene February 4-7, 2020, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference theme “Together for Equity” will focus on supporting disadvantaged children. Participants include state agency officials, school district administrators, school building leaders, and teachers – all gaining new knowledge, instructional strategies, and skills needed to transform student learning.
Memos to be released on Monday, October 14:
- 2019-117: 2020 Social Studies Workshop – Call for Presentations
- 2019-118: Fall 2019-20 Student Climate Survey for Alternative School Accountability
- 2019-119: Wyoming’s 2nd state song “Wyoming Where I Belong”
- 2019-120: K-3 Reading Assessment and Intervention Guidance
- 2019-121: Let’s Celebrate Digital Citizenship Week!
