News

Office of Governor Dave Freudenthal
August 21, 2007 Press Release
Cara Eastwood, Press Secretary

WYOMING P-16 COUNCIL TO HELP STUDENTS TRANSITION BETWEEN SCHOOL LEVELS

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - A new public-private council whose overall mission is to improve education and smooth the transition between each level of schooling was introduced today by Governor Dave Freudenthal, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jim McBride and other top education officials.

The Wyoming P-16 Education Council includes representatives from the business community and all levels of education from pre-school (P) through college (grade 16). Joining Freudenthal and McBride in making the announcement at a news conference were University of Wyoming President Tom Buchanan and Wyoming Community College Commission Executive Director Jim Rose.

“This council will enhance the dialogue that has been ongoing in various education circles by bringing all the key players into a more formal setting,” Freudenthal said. “Frankly, I'm pleased that several representatives from the business community are included. The private sector needs to have a seat at the table as we continue to look for ways to strengthen education and enhance the ties between our schools and workforce development.”

The 15-member council includes representatives from early childhood, K-12, community colleges, the University of Wyoming, Wyoming Department of Education, State Board of Education, Wyoming Education Association, Legislature, business and workforce development, Governor’s Office and the school/university partnership.

The University of Wyoming, Wyoming Workforce Development Council and Wyoming Department of Education played major roles in forming the council that aims to improve learning and collaboration across Wyoming public education systems, from primary to post-secondary. Implementing the Hathaway Success Curriculum and improving exchange of student data across all education systems will be among the first tasks undertaken by the council.

“For those of us in the K-12 public education system, we need to ensure children enter kindergarten ready to learn and graduate high school prepared for post-secondary education and training,” McBride said. “The P-16 council gives us a wonderful opportunity to make sure all our oars are rowing in the same direction. It allows us a venue of open communication to look at a broad range of issues including remediation, electronic transcripting and standards. We can address and align those concerns that directly affect our students success at all levels.”

Buchanan said the state has needed an active P-16 Council for a number of years.

“That need is now magnified as more Wyoming students should and will embrace post-secondary education with the assistance of the Hathaway Scholarships,” he said. “I am pleased to see this council come alive, and particularly pleased at the role UW has played in its formation.”

Wyoming Community College Commission Executive Director Jim Rose said the community colleges look forward to participating in the group.

“On behalf of all students and staff associated with Wyoming's community colleges, I commend the governor and everyone invested in this initiative. We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Department of Education and the University to ensure maximum access to the opportunities that education provides,” he said.

The Wyoming P-16 Education Council members are:
-Sen. Hank Coe, Cody, chairman, Senate Education Committee -Rep. Bernadine Craft, Rock Springs, member, House Education Committee -Joe Simpson, Cheyenne, deputy state superintendent of public instruction -Ed Boenisch, Cheyenne, deputy director, Wyoming Community College Commission -Rollin Abernethy, Laramie, associate vice president for academic affairs, University of Wyoming -Audrey Kleinsasser, Laramie, director, Wyoming School-University Partnership -Jim Lowham, Casper, Natrona County School District 1 superintendent and board member, Wyoming State Board of Education and Wyoming Association of School Administrators -Kathryn Valido, Cheyenne, president, Wyoming Education Association -Charlie Ware, Cheyenne, vice chairman, Wyoming Workforce Development Council and executive vice president, Wyoming Contractors Association -Michael Ceballos, Cheyenne, president, Qwest Wyoming -Rob Black, Cheyenne, governor’s education policy analyst -Carol Kirkwood, Laramie, teacher, Laramie High School -Bernie Schnorenberg, Sundance, teacher, Sundance High School -Clark Burden, Guernsey, executive director, Wyoming Child and Family Development Inc.
-Bill Sniffin, Lander, owner, Wyoming Inc.