SBCTE and SBE to Discuss Perkins V Plan and State Assessment

CHEYENNE - The Wyoming State Board of Education (SBE) met virtually on August 6 and took action to remove the grade 3 Writing assessment from next spring's administration of the WY-TOPP state assessment. Action was also taken to reduce the number of items on grades 3-8 Math WY-TOPP and to provide more focused instruction and in-depth assessment of critical math concepts.

The elimination of grade 3 essay writing from the current state assessment originated from Superintendent Megan Degenfelder's Assessment Reduction & Efficiency Plan. This change allows teachers and students the time necessary to ensure that both writing and typing skills are present before students are assessed. While the removal of the grade 3 Writing assessment will take effect in the Spring of 2025, board members noted that the state Writing standards are currently under revision.

"Today, teacher, parent, and student voices were heard loud and clear in their desire for less state testing. I am thrilled by the partnership between the Wyoming Department of Education and SBE in what I hope are the first of many actions to reduce the assessment burden," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder.

The board plans to hold ongoing conversations regarding how the state might improve student writing and assess these skills across grade levels and content areas after employers and postsecondary educators highlighted the importance of technical reading and writing skills during Wyoming Profile of a Graduate listening sessions.

"The board will continue to consult and coordinate with local school districts and collaborate with Superintendent Degenfelder to explore approaches to assess writing and promote the application of writing skills in a way that best prepares students for the future," shared SBE Chairman, Bill Lambert.

The board also approved revisions to the math state assessment blueprints to align them with recently adopted math standards. This work reduced grade 3-8 math assessment items by at least 30 percent and shifted from the current subject-specific areas to comprehensive math skills.

"It is exciting to see eighteen months of working with Wyoming educators and stakeholders on defining essential math knowledge and skills critical to the future of students take the necessary next step with this alignment to the WY-TOPP assessment. Today's board action allows for a reduced grade 3-8 test while providing flexibility in the classroom for students to demonstrate their understanding of mathematics on a deeper level," said Ellen Creagar, SBE Treasurer.

The newly adopted math standards are currently available to schools to fully implement by the 2025-26 school year. Changes to the mathematics portion of the WY-TOPP assessment will go into effect in spring 2026.

The board also discussed revisions to the science assessment blueprints based on the recently adopted science standards. The board determined further information was needed regarding the length of the science assessments in relation to the number of standards being tested. In addition to consideration of the testing burden on students, the board will review the impacts of changes on other educational systems such as school accountability measures.

In further action the state board approved updates to the Perkins V Plan performance indicators based on the most current performance data available.

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