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

WYOMING EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT

Susan Wilson Special Education Teacher Sundance Secondary School, CCSD#1 Susan Wilson is a wonderful teacher and a great advocate for Special Education Students. She works diligently with students to improve their skills and independence as a learner,? encourages students to become self advocates, and develops relationships with students that are life long. "Susan is an outstanding teacher and special human being, she works hard to stay current on teaching methodologies as well as Special Education Law. Susan is respected and valued by all the staff at Sundance Secondary. Susan is one of the teachers you make sure your new teachers spend time watching. She is a great mentor for new staff in our building as well as a trusted team member to the rest of the staff." ? Jim O'Connor, principal, Sundance 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 WDE is seeking public comment on the proposed Wyoming State Plan for the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). The act provides federal funding for secondary and postsecondary career and technical education in Wyoming. Submit comment by February 8.

COMMUNICATIONS

Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom is seeking nominations for Educator of the Year. Nominate an outstanding elementary educator that demonstrates excellence in education by implementing innovative agriculture, minerals and energy, and outdoor recreation and tourism projects into the classroom. One Wyoming educator will be selected to receive $2,500. Teachers can nominate themselves. Submit here by April 5.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

The 2024 Wyoming EdTech Conference will be held at the Ramkota Hotel in Casper on March 5-6. The conference will cover K-12 technology topics, from edtech trends in the classroom to cybersecurity, data privacy, and more. Connect with peers and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving field of educational technology. Register here.

The Postsecondary Readiness Student-Level Report for Traditional Schools and the Postsecondary Readiness Indicator and College and Career Readiness Indicator Student-Level Report for Alternative Schools will be released on January 29, on the Accountability Confidential website. School districts must review and correct data via the WDE950 by March 1. The Postsecondary Readiness Indicator Priority List identifies data that can be corrected and has been added to the Accountability Confidential page.

SCHOOL SUPPORT

The WDE is preparing a series of K-3 Reading Assessment and Intervention Professional Development Modules. The first module will be available beginning in March. See the WYO Education Professional Development Portal to access this and future modules.??

Registration is open for the WDE?s 2024 Embracing Literacy Conference. Keynote speakers will include Dr. Antonio Fierro, Dr. Kim St Martin, Dr. Terrie Noland, Jeanne Schopf, Kareem Weaver, Nancy Hennessy, Dr. Pam Kastner, and the Reading League. The conference will be held in-person in Laramie from June 19-20 and virtually on June 25-26. Learn more and register here.

Join program managers from the WDE?s ESSA, ESSER, IDEA, and Perkins grants teams every six weeks, beginning on February 8 at 10:00 a.m. for a Zoom session. Topics will include current events relevant to district grant recipients, and provide Q&A time for district representatives.? Join on February 8 via this link.? To receive a calendar invitation, contact Mark Bowers at [email protected].

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The Special Education Team is offering a five session community of practice from January through March to support teachers implement classroom structures that improve student functional and behavioral outcomes. Teachers will be divided into two groups based on the ages of their students.? For more information, contact Deana Smith, Education Consultant - Continuous Improvement, at 307-777-5326 or [email protected].

STANDARDS & ASSESSMENT

The current Wyoming Content and Performance Standards for each individual grade level in grades K-6 are now available in a Standards Folder along with the previously available .csv versions in Excel and Sheets.

The WDE is collecting public comment on Ch. 10 Rules on Standards and the Proposed Standards for Math, Science, Computer Science, Physical Education, Health & Safety, and Fine & Performing Arts. The public comment period will run through March 21. Stakeholders can also provide feedback at a virtual public comment session. Click here for more information and to access the proposed standards documents.

The WDE is requesting education stakeholders to participate in a brief survey to provide feedback on the Wyoming statewide assessment system. Survey will close on March 17. The WDE Assessment Team is also hosting public feedback sessions.