1. Overview of Wyoming Accountability in Education Act (WAEA)
Wyoming Department of Education
Overview of Wyoming Accountability in Education Act (WAEA)
Julie Magee, Ph.D.
Division Administrator
Standards & Accountability

2. Goals of WAEA
WAEA established during 2011 legislative session (W.S ) with the following goals in mind:
Become a national education leader among states
Ensure all students graduate career or college ready
Recognize and increase student growth for all
Recognize student achievement and minimize gaps
Improve teacher and leader quality
Maximize efficiency of WY education
Increase credibility and support for WY schools

3. Indicators Defined Indicators for Grades 3-8
Achievement: performance in reading, math in grades 3-8 (PAWS); science in grades 4, 8 (PAWS); writing in grades 5, 7 (SAWS)
Growth: change in students’ achievement as they progress from year to year (grades 4-8); based on 2 consecutive years of state test scores; “academic peers”
Equity (measured by growth): grades 4-8 based on consolidated subgroup (students who were below proficient in math and/or reading in prior year); proficient within 3 years or by end of grade 8

4. Indicators Defined Indicators for High Schools
Achievement: performance in reading, math, science, English/writing in grade 11 (ACT)
Readiness: consists of 4 sub-indicators (grad rate, scores on ACT assessments, grade 9 credits earned, Hathaway eligibility)
Equity (measured by Δ achievement gap): consolidated subgroup based on performance on Plan test in grade 10; equity score is measure of subgroup’s achievement level in reading/math at end of grade 11

5. Participation Rate
Participation rate is computed for all enrolled students and all enrolled students in consolidated subgroup
Minimum annual participation of 95% required in both student groups
Participation rate of % results in school performance being docked one level
Participation rate below 90% results in school performance rating of “not meeting expectations”

6. Ratings Defined 2014 PLDs for Grades 3-8
Exceeding Expectations: school exceeded targets on achievement and one additional performance indicator while meeting target on other indicator (equity or growth)
Meeting Expectations: school met or exceeded targets on multiple performance indicators
Partially Meeting Expectations: school performed below target on multiple performance indicators or were below target on achievement
Not Meeting Expectations: school had unacceptable performance on all indicators

7. Ratings Defined 2014 PLDs for High Schools
Exceeding Expectations: school exceeded state targets for overall readiness and performance indicator (achievement + equity)
Meeting Expectations: school met or exceeded target for overall readiness or exceeded target for achievement/equity indicator
Partially Meeting Expectations: school performed below target on achievement/equity indicator
Not Meeting Expectations: school had unacceptable performance on all indicators

8. Role of PJP
Professional Judgment Panel (PJP) is comprised of educators and community members
Role is to establish target levels for school performance for each performance indicator
New target levels are established based on changes to the model or assessments

9. Representatives
Appointed by state superintendent to serve as liaison between school district leadership and department
Review and approve improvement plans
Provide support to schools based on SPR
Meeting Expectations
Partially Meeting Expectations
Not Meeting Expectations