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

WYOMING EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT

Amanda Knapp Counselor, Upton High School Upton, Wyoming Amanda Knapp is a top notch counselor and her work isn't going unnoticed. She serves as the school counselor at Upton High School which was recently accepted as a pilot school under the governor's RIDE initiative. Since then, the work Mrs. Knapp does for the district with scheduling, scholarships, and work-study has been on full display, impressing the likes of Superintendent Megan Degenfelder as well as the RIDE team. She has built a schedule that doesn't require students to have to choose between classes and does her best to also accommodate teachers, creating blocks for some or traditional length periods for others. She doesn't stop there though, rather she adjusts the schedule daily when teachers are absent or to give students extra support. She does all this while still providing excellent service to students to prepare them post-secondary. For example, in 2022-2023, 23 of 74 Upton High School students earned college credit. In addition, she walks students through scholarships and helped the class of 2023 (13 graduates) reach a total of $231,338 in scholarships offered. She was also instrumental in helping 33 students earn an Industry Recognized Credential as a part of Upton's goal to create career ready students. Finally, she is one of the most approachable people in the building, always helping as an emotional support for both students and staff alike. Her work is truly deserving of recognition and her attitude is an absolute inspiration! ? Joseph Samuelson, Principal, Upton High School Superintendent Degenfelder will recognize an educator each month in this newsletter. To nominate a educator to be featured, email Linda Finnerty at [email protected].

ACCOUNTABILITY

The USED Federal Student Aid office (FSA) announced the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), now referred to as the Better FAFSA, will open by December 31. Learn more here.?

The Wyoming MTSS Center, is offering a series of webinars designed for school administrators? to learn how to support and enhance the implementation of MTSS in schools. Webinars will begin January 2024, register here.

COMMUNICATIONS

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the USED, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is pleased to offer free, rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests to interested LEAs. Learn more here.?

The WDE will be undergoing an update to the agency website to better serve districts, students and parents. For approximately sixty days, only critical changes to the website's content will be made, which includes those required by federal or state directive. Programs within the WDE will use email to directly communicate key information during this process. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Linda Finnerty at [email protected] throughout the transition.?

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Fall climate survey results for alternative schools can be viewed on the accountability confidential portal climate survey page. The survey has three domains: staff support and respect, student support and respect, and high expectations. For more information about the indicator, click here. Participation rates will be updated until after the spring WDE684 submission when the exemptions are verified.

Student-level graduate and non-graduate records will be confidentially released to districts on Monday, December 4, via the State Accountability Confidential page. Districts will have until December 15 to submit? requests for corrections to graduation data via the Exit Status Request application. 2022?23 graduation rates will be public on January 24, 2024.

The 2022?23 ESSA State Report Card found at wyomingmeasuresup.com has been updated with all data except the per-pupil expenditure information, which will be updated in January.

SCHOOL SUPPORT

Embrace Literacy All Year Long monthly webinars have been moved to a recorded format to provide more flexibility to educators. Each webinar will be released on the scheduled date, and will be accessible at any time. Access the Canvas link under the Embrace Literacy All Year Long course on the PD Portal to see the schedule of presenters and topics, view the webinars, and complete activities for PTSB or UW credit.??

The John C. Schiffer Collaborative School and Henry A. Coffeen Elementary School in Sheridan County School District #2 have been recognized by the WDE as 2023 National Distinguished School Award winners. The National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program recognizes qualifying schools receiving federal funding from each state for their outstanding achievements in education. For more information about the program, contact Leslie Koch at [email protected].?

The deadline has been extended for districts interested in applying for the competitive Stronger Connections Grant. Applications are due on February 9, 2024. Interested districts should complete the intent to apply to receive the application and guidance documents. Stronger Connection Grant Awards will be announced on March 1, 2024. For more information, contact Mary Bravo at [email protected].

For ESSA and ESF grant recipients, the last day to draw funds on grants that expired on September 30 is Tuesday, December 26. Grants affected include the SY 2021?22 ESSA grants, ESSER II, and GEER II. For more information, contact Diana Thompson at [email protected].

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Special Education Programs is offering a five session Community of Practice that supports teachers implementing classroom structures that improve student functional and behavioral outcomes. Sessions run January through March. Register here.?

Special Education Programs is providing two virtual educational surrogate parent (ESP) trainings. December 11 from 3:30?5 p.m, a training geared toward district staff members responsible for appointing and supporting ESPs. December 13 from 3:30?5 p.m, training for individuals currently serving as an ESP or are interested in becoming an ESP. Register here.

STANDARDS & ASSESSMENT

December 14, from 3:45?5 p.m, EL Quarterly Webinar, will provide information and resources on English Learner (EL) processes, requirements, and the ACCESS for ELLs assessment. Training is available for all districts, whether or not it currently serves EL students. This webinar will also include a presentation from a district on how they use the ?Individual English Learner Plan? (IELP).

WIDA MODEL is an interim English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) for students in kindergarten through grade 12. This optional MODEL Interim is an on-demand language proficiency assessment and can be administered to active ELs once at any time during the school year, from October 1 through June 15, 2024.

Submissions are open to the annual Pacesetter Award Program, which recognizes outstanding Native American students in our state. Student selections for this award will be collected through April 1, 2024. Each high school is encouraged to select up to two students who fit the criteria described in the NAEC Pacesetter Award Update.

The deadline is today, December 8 for School Test Coordinators to make test date and address verification selections for ACT Spring testing. Reference the ACT?s Wyoming webpage for additional information and resources on Step 1: Orientation and Step 2: Configuration.