P-16 to Host First Statewide STEM-CTE Summit
The Wyoming P-16 Education Council worked with a broadly representative planning team to organize the first statewide Wyoming Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Career Technical Education (CTE) Summit, to be held February 9, 2012 at Casper College, with the college’s assistance.
Governor Mead and State Superintendent Cindy Hill have joined the Council to invite school, community college and university leaders, education proponents and teachers from a range of formal and informal STEM and CTE programs, as well as legislative and business leaders to share ideas and programs.
Discussions with a number of educators, policy makers and private sector representatives in Wyoming reveal the need for more widespread awareness and understanding of varied STEM and CTE initiatives is apparent. Some advocate for more substantial overlap in CTE and STEM curricula. Nearly all believe the rigor of current curricula should be increased. With the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) supercomputer coming on-line and the potential for spin-off technologies that may broaden our economic base and workforce need in addition to current demands, the timing for an invigorated STEM initiative in Wyoming is here!
Summit participants will examine the potential for STEM and CTE careers in the Wyoming economy – now and in the future, showcase exemplar STEM and CTE programs underway in Wyoming’s schools and colleges, and look to a future where projections indicate unmet state and national demand for well-prepared graduates in these fields. A focus will be upon what, if anything, might educators in Wyoming do that might enhance our programs in these areas? A goal is to generate interest in holding a larger event in the summer when more teachers can attend.
Postsecondary Education Options Program
Work related to the Postsecondary Education Options Program (sometimes referred to as SEA 52) from the 2010 Legislative Session has extended into 2011 and P-16 continues to be part of the implementation strategies.
P-16’s major focus will be working with the WY Alliance for Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships and others in designing and implementing a statewide public information campaign to increase enrollment in dual and concurrent classes by students traditionally underrepresented in college populations. The consultants will collaborate with the Wyoming P-16 Council to identify specific indicators and deliverables for this item.
The consultants continue to work with:
- an attorney to write a Statewide Policy Manual explaining compliance with the Postsecondary Education Options Program, W.S. 21-20-201.
- two community college experts to prepare a Parent and Student Handbook.
- Joe McCann, Wyoming Community College Commission Programs Team Manager, to analyze and report the revenue and expenditure data as collected by the Community College Commission.
In addition, the consultants continue to follow-up with the P-16 Council and Community College Academic Council (AAC), and the Department of Education Switchboard Network and Wyoming Distance Learning Center to meet the evaluation and delivery goals.
Recent Progress
All community colleges are using a common MOU this year for concurrent enrollment and all students have equal access to dual and concurrent enrollment courses where they are available. All colleges will be using common cut scores for ACT and COMPASS in the future. There is still a need to offer more dual enrollment courses to students through distance learning.
The AAC is in the process of finalizing a pathway for high school faculty to obtain the credentials required to teach academic transfer classes and career/technical classes. Documentation of this process is being vetted among the faculty and academic officers at the colleges.
Past Projects
P-16 Council's Data Dashboard
This dashboard outlines the critical educational attainent levels among Wyoming citizens. The P-16 Council believes that these indicators can stimulate important community-level conversations about the importance of a system of seamless education in Wyoming.
Click here to view the P-16 Council's Data Dashboard, updated October 7, 2011
The State Scholars Initiative
This initiative is a national program which utilizes business leaders to motivate students to complete a rigorous course of study in high school, one that will give them a boost in college and their careers. In communities around the country, the SSI is helping thousands of students reach for excellence and achieve it.
Contact Rollin Abernethy for more information.
Course Comparison Tables
The instructional comparison charts for mathematics, science, social studies, world languages, and writing were created by Wyoming secondary and postsecondary teachers, with support from the Wyoming State Scholars Initiative, the Wyoming P-16 Council, and the Wyoming School-University Partnership.
Each chart displays typical instructional features for high school and college-level courses. Although academic experiences in college build on high school experiences, the number of class sessions, expectations for reading and writing, and grading are different. You will see differences for other instructional features, as well. If you have questions, talk with your teacher, principal, academic counselor, or an academic counselor at one of the Wyoming community colleges or the University of Wyoming.
High Resolution Versions (for printing purposes)
Mathematics Comparison Chart
Science Comparison Chart
Social Studies Comparison Chart
World Languages Comparison Chart
Writing Comparison Chart
Low Resolution Versions (for viewing on the web)
Mathematics Comparison Chart
Science Comparison Chart
Social Studies Comparison Chart
World Languages Comparison Chart
Writing Comparison Chart