CHEYENNE – The Wyoming State Board of Education (SBE) approved the proposed Math WY-TOPP assessment blueprints and provided final approval of revisions to Chapter 6 Accreditation Rules at its meeting on May 26.
Additionally, the SBE approved the proposed health and physical education standards to be released for public input, while seven districts had alternative schedules approved for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 schools years.
The revisions to Chapter 6 Accreditation Rules were due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the administration of the 2020 Wyoming state assessment. In March 2020, the U.S. Department of Education waived statewide assessment requirements. Before the pandemic, state testing results were used to determine annual school performance ratings; without state assessment results, however, new school performance ratings could not be calculated. The changes to Chapter 6 Accreditation Rules ensure schools are not negatively impacted in 2021. In addition, Section 8 of the revised Chapter 6 rules includes the accreditation of Institutional Schools, which eliminates the need for the current Chapter 26 Rules for Institutional Schools Accreditation.
The board also discussed proposed emergency revisions to Chapter 22 School Day Rules. The proposed changes include defining pupil-teacher contact time, including instruction outside of the regular classroom as permitted, following the passage of Senate Enrolled Act 42. These rules will be discussed and will be up for adoption during the SBE’s June 24, 2021 virtual meeting; work on permanent rule changes will be studied this summer for promulgation in the fall.
For more information about the SBE and the next meeting, visit the SBE website and follow the SBE on Facebook and Twitter.
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Media Contact:
Diana Clapp
(307) 851-3478
diana.clapp@wyo.gov