Wyoming Arts Council

Public Comment Open on Wyoming ESSA Draft Plan

Featured News | May 10, 2017

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Wyoming’s draft Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) State Plan is currently open for public comment. The draft plan is available on the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) website.

“This plan builds off of the strengths in Wyoming’s education system and our ongoing commitment to excellence. The goals for our schools are based on our state’s priorities instead of the federal government’s,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow. “From standards to accountability to best use of federal funds, ESSA places the responsibility to provide a well-rounded education to every student squarely on our shoulders. A public review of this plan by educators, parents, the employer community, and other citizens is essential. We need to make sure Wyoming kids are put first.”

The Wyoming Arts Council encourages you to be proactive in providing input during this public comment period. It is imperative that arts constituents and arts education experts be involved in Wyoming’s plan for the implementation of ESSA. This will allow those using the act to understand the broad scope available through arts education. In addition to being essential for a well-rounded education, the arts have the power to positively impact programming, educator effectiveness, learning assessments, school improvement and more, making the continued development of arts programs an important step in closing the achievement gap.

Comments can be submitted to the WDE through June 8, 2017 through an online survey.

Comments can be mailed to:

Wyoming Department of Education
Attn: Kari Eakins
2300 Capitol Avenue
Hathaway Building, 2nd Floor
Cheyenne, WY 82002

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