Cheyenne Educators Prepare Policy Recommendations

March 6, 2009

A select group of Cheyenne educators discussed legislative issues and developed policy recommendations and action plans during a recent meeting with state educational leaders in Cheyenne. The Wyoming Teacher Policy Institute (WTPI) met with faculty from the University of Wyoming, members of the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) and the State Board of Education.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jim McBride and Deputy State Superintendent Joe Simpson met with WTPI participants, called Fellows, to discuss the shift in focus of the legislature from educational funding to accountability for educational outcomes.

McBride encouraged discussion among the Fellows and answered questions related to the K-12 educational system in Wyoming. Laurel Ballard, WTPI director and WDE educational quality and accountability supervisor, explained the WTPI mission and goals to the State Board of Education.

Ballard and board members discussed policy making and the possibility of including WTPI Fellows in future meetings to gain the perspective of educators who conduct research in their classrooms.

Participating teachers from Laramie County School District 1 were Susan Pannell from Carey Junior High School; Gary Scott from Triumph High School; Angie Matsen and Jim Zlomke from East High School; Diana Clark and Tascha Smith from Johnson Junior High School; Becky Evans from Hobbs Elementary; and Kathrine Thelen from Afflerbach Elementary.

UW faculty who participated in the WTPI meetings were Allen Trent, WTPI action research advisor; Rollin Abernethy, associate provost of academic affairs representing the P-16 Council; Audrey Kleinsasser, UW professor and director of the Wyoming School-University Partnership; Carol Bryant, UW associate professor in secondary education; and Jeasik Cho, UW assistant professor in educational studies.

GEAR UP Wyoming (GUWY), a college preparation program for income-eligible students, co-sponsored the project with WDE. WTPI leadership team members from GUWY were Donna Regan, grant manager, and Lori Kimbrough, professional development coordinator. Michael Wade, UW Student Educational Opportunity associate director responsible for oversight of GUWY, also attended.

WPTI partners with the Wyoming Department of Education, UW and public school teachers and administrators across the state. For more information about WTPI, call Ballard at (307) 777-7016.

Posted on Friday, March 06, 2009

Find us on Instagram (Link opens a new window)Find us on Facebook (Link opens a new window)Find us on Twitter (Link opens a new window)Find us on LinkedIn (Link opens a new window)Find us on YouTube (Link opens a new window)