State superintendent shares plan to improve Wyoming education
Appearing as the guest speaker for the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce's monthly luncheon at Little America, Degenfelder discussed student performance, literacy and where Wyoming's education system can improve.
'The state of education is good, but we still have much work to do,' Degenfelder said. 'As business leaders, I do not need to explain to you all the importance of education. In fact, I think it should be our top priority as policymakers in the state. Our Founding Fathers found value in funding education because they knew that the key to building the greatest country on Earth was a well-educated citizenry.'
Degenfelder noted that this drive for quality education is exactly why Wyomingites should be concerned about the results of the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), which showed a nationwide drop in reading proficiency.
'While we should absolutely celebrate our results staying relatively stable and above many other states, we should not settle for anything less than progress,' Degenfelder said. 'Wyoming doesn't do just good enough, we aim higher. And progress is possible, but we need bold, innovative leadership in Wyoming.'
Degenfelder also noted that two years into her term, the state has made substantial progress on her strategic plan.
The plan prioritizes parental empowerment and eliminating political bias; preparing students for jobs through career and technical education; developing citizenship for students; reducing bureaucracy and creating efficiencies; valuing and supporting teachers; and improving outcomes through early literacy.
Parental empowerment
The issue of parental rights and choice has been a hot topic in the state. Degenfelder has made it a priority to make policies that prioritize parent choice.
This has included school choice, controversial library policies, transparency initiatives and anti-transgender legislation, requiring the reporting of health changes to parents.
Ten school districts in the state have joined a curriculum transparency initiative, including Laramie County School District 1.
'At the end of the day, parents should be the No. 1 decision maker in their child's education,' Degenfelder said.
The state superintendent has also supported public charter schools and education savings accounts, which she sees as an improvement in choice.
'I was a product of our traditional system, and wouldn't have changed a thing,' Degenfelder said. 'But it doesn't work as well for other families and situations. So, we're going to continue to build that and make sure that it works and we can keep a robust public education system, but also have choices for parents.'
Degenfelder's values have also influenced her support of President Donald Trump attempting to close the U.S. Department of Education, which one attendee asked her to explain.
'We know how to do this without the federal agency,' Degenfelder said. 'And so that doesn't mean that the programs and services are going away. What that can mean is more of a block grant model to our states to be able to determine how we're going to handle education, reducing the bureaucracy, and the red tape that's associated.'
The federal Department of Education was established in 1979 by former President Jimmy Carter; however, the federal government has had a role in education since the mid-1800s. It isn't certain yet what the federal government's involvement in education would be should President Trump successfully close the department, but Degenfelder sees an opportunity to increase flexibility for students.
'There's a lot of fear of the unknown out there right now, but I really think it's a great opportunity to be able again to take back power as states,' Degenfelder said.
Future workforce
Since she was presenting to local business leaders, Degenfelder made a point to demonstrate how local education builds the future workforce.
'Not only have we been able to significantly reduce the red tape that existed for career and technical education dollars to get from the federal and state government to our local districts,' Degenfelder said, 'but we also worked with the Legislature to double our funding for career and technical student organizations.'
Programs like FFA, FBLA, FCCLA and DECA prepare students for the workforce. The state is also increasing workforce credentials and work-based learning opportunities, Degenfelder said. The state is piloting project-based learning and competency-based learning, and working to connect Native American students with career and technical opportunities.
Degenfelder pointed to attempts to expand financial literacy instruction as an example of innovative ways to help students and local businesses.
'Imagine a Wyoming where students can learn far beyond the confines of a classroom,' Degenfelder said. '... That's what we're working toward in Wyoming education, because real-world experience counts when preparing the next generation of Wyoming's workforce.'
Literacy
NAEP results showed nationwide decreases in literacy. Despite this, Wyoming's fourth- and eighth-graders continued to perform above the national average in reading and mathematics, holding steady with 2022 scores, according to the Wyoming Department of Education.
For Degenfelder, this doesn't mean that the state shouldn't pursue improvements, particularly in literacy.
'We know that if the child cannot read by the third grade their future is limited, and so we're currently in the process of discussing major literacy reform in the state of Wyoming, based on national best practices,' Degenfelder said.
For the past three years, on average, fewer than 50% of Wyoming students have performed proficient or above on the English language arts assessment. Additionally, advocacy groups have expressed frustrations with the quality of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) in the state, which are typically used for students with some sort of physical or learning disability.
'We have to do better for our kids,' Degenfelder said. 'I believe, truly, that if we continue to work on these initiatives that I've outlined for you today, the next generation will be better prepared to enter the Wyoming workforce. They'll be better prepared to be patriotic citizens, and they'll be better prepared to be the visionaries that keep our state strong.'
Teachers
Degenfelder established a teacher retention and recruitment task force, composed of nearly 30 stakeholders across the state. They developed recommendations for teacher retention that would also attract new teachers.
Recommendations such as the development of a principal leadership academy, reducing content and performance standards by nearly 70%, reducing the assessment burden for teachers and students, and launching a mental health framework have already begun to be implemented, according to Degenfelder.
The WDE also intends to continue highlighting the work of teachers across the state. They also hope to create a network through which they can connect innovative teachers across the state for mentorship, Degenfelder told luncheon attendees.
This mutual mentorship between teachers would take place within their area of expertise with the intent of them working together to better serve students.
'The vast majority of our students are doing an exceptional job in the classroom, and we need to ensure that the system isn't holding them back,' Degenfelder said. 'Supporting Wyoming teachers doesn't need to mean more bureaucracy. It means giving teachers the freedom to do their jobs.'
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