Update from the Wyoming Department of Education  |  view online |  website

WYOMING EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT

Lindsey Haines Stagecoach Elementary Rock Springs, Wyoming Lindsey Haines is the Alternative Communications teacher at Stagecoach Elementary in Rock Springs. She is a strong leader and facilitates the Special Education PLC in addition to mentoring many other teachers throughout the district. Her IEPs are exemplary and her communication with her students’ families ensures these students receive the best possible education. Ms. Haines is a passionate and fierce educator. She works diligently to meet the needs of her many students. She connects with her paraprofessional staff, students, and fellow educators in a way that ensures that all students are able to grow and find success daily. She celebrates everyone’s growth and success and her love and personality light up her classroom. She works tirelessly, often through her lunches and breaks, to make sure that her students have the best educational experience. We are truly blessed to have such an amazing teacher like her working with this diverse population of students. – Weston Lamb-Costantino, Elementary Music Teacher at Stagecoach Elementary Superintendent Degenfelder will recognize an educator each month in this newsletter. To nominate an educator to be featured, email Linda Finnerty at [email protected].

ACCOUNTABILITY

Applications for the Secondary and Postsecondary Workplace Discovery Grant program are open November 1 through December 1, 2023. These grants provide federal funding to support innovative Career and Technical Education (CTE) initiatives. Four awards, up to $12,000 will be offered to secondary institutions and two awards, up to $16,600 will be offered to post secondary institutions. Learn more and apply here.

COMMUNICATIONS

Superintendent Megan Degenfelder shares a video to congratulate two Wyoming schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. Sagewood Elementary in Casper, and Southside Elementary in Powell were identified among the 353 schools honored. Both schools were recognized in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category. Watch the video here. 

Apply for a Fund for Teachers grant if you have an idea that will impact your curriculum, classroom, community, or teaching career. Teachers like you design and pursue learning directly related to your students’ interests and needs. Create a unique fellowship that will provoke innovation and inspire growth for you and your students. Learn more and apply here by January 18, 2024. 

The National Civics Bee is an annual competition where participating 6-8 graders flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes.The competition inspires middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. Learn more here. 

FINCANCE

Updates have been made to the process for obtaining an indirect cost rate for the period of July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. An approved indirect cost rate is required to determine the percentage of allowable general administrative expenses that may be recovered from federal programs. The new Indirect Cost Allocation Plan for Local Education Agencies took effect on July 1, 2023. Under the approved plan, all rates issued by WDE will be a one-year predetermined indirect cost rate using a three-year rolling average. If an LEA wishes to obtain an indirect cost rate for fiscal year 2025, please complete and submit the Indirect Costs Application, Certification, and Organization Chart by December 30, 2023. To access the required documents and additional Indirect Cost information, click here.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

The WDE will hold a virtual FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) webinar led by an expert from the USED Privacy Technical Assistance Center. School resource officers, law enforcement personnel, school and district administrators, and district technology directors or CIOs are invited on Wednesday, November 15 from 2-3 p.m. Click here for agenda and registration link.

The graduation information review window opens November 27.  The graduation information for 2022-23 will be updated in the Graduation Results Student Level report in the Accountability Confidential portal. Access the portal here, and click on the District Data Reports link. WyEd credentials are needed to log in. Deadline is December 8 to submit correction requests via the Exit Status Request application.  

Important Dates

• Alternative School Climate Survey, October 30 - November 17
• Graduation Data Review Window, November 27 - December 8 
• Release Embargoed District and School Level Graduation Rates, January 16
• Public Graduation Rate Data Release, Tentative January 24 

SPECIAL EDUCATION

The WDE Special Education Programs Division is providing two upcoming virtual educational surrogate parent (ESP) trainings. On December 11 from 3:30 to 5 p.m, a training geared toward district staff members responsible for appointing and supporting ESPs will take place. On December 13 from 3:30 to 5 p.m, training for individuals who are currently serving as an ESP or are interested in becoming an ESP will be offered. Register here. 

SCHOOL SUPPORT

The School Support Team announces the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Stronger Connections Grant (SCG). The WDE was allocated over $4.5 million for grants to be awarded on a competitive basis for high need school districts to be utilized for activities that support safe and healthy students allowable under section 4108 of ESSA. Learn more about this opportunity, here. 

The School Support Team is accepting nominations for the 2023 National ESEA Distinguished Schools Award. Sponsored by the National ESEA Distinguished School Program, it recognizes schools from each state for outstanding achievements in education. Complete the nomination form and send it to [email protected] by November 14th.

The Embrace Literacy All Year Long webinar series takes place the 3rd Tuesday of each month. There will be a Spotlight on Dyslexia training opportunity later this year. Watch the Literacy webpage and the PD Portal for details on all Literacy events.

STANDARDS & ASSESSMENT

On October 30, ACT emailed spring testing information to district and school Test Coordinators. ACT provided an updated Schedule-of-Events for the spring test windows. 

The ACT Accommodations Requests window opens on Monday, November 13, 2023 through February 2, 2024.