21-3-132. Repealed by Laws 2025, ch. 61, § 3.
Repealed by Laws 2025, ch. 61, § 3.
Propose a changeWyoming · 21 · statute
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Repealed by Laws 2025, ch. 61, § 3.
Propose a change(a) A school district that has not already taken similar action is authorized to take the following actions relating to child sexual abuse education, prevention and response: (i) Provide parents with information on the warning signs of child sexual abuse and any available resources for education, prevention and response; (ii) Provide training to teachers and other school district employees, including: (A) Instructional methods relating to the provisions of W.S. 21-9-104; (B) Child abuse or neglect reporting requirements specified in W.S. 14-3-205; (C) Methods to respond to a student's disclosure of sexual abuse in a supportive and appropriate manner. (iii) Consult with federal, state and local entities and community based organizations, including the child welfare information gateway internet website maintained by the United States department of health and human services, to identify evidence based tools and programs to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse; (iv) Develop community based strategies to promote education, collaboration and accountability among persons and entities who are responsible for child sexual abuse education, prevention and response, including parents and guardians, law enforcement, judicial officers, health care providers and other members of the community; (v) Coordinate with the local child protection team in accordance with W.S. 14-3-212(b)(ii); (vi) Accept funds from private and public sources for programs relating to this section.
Propose a change(a) As used in this section, "military connected student" means a student who is a dependent of a current or former member of the uniformed services of the United States including members of the national guard and reserve or who was a dependent of a member of the uniformed services of the United States, including a member of the national guard or reserve, who was killed in the line of duty. (b) The department shall designate a school as a purple star school if the school applies to the department and qualifies as a purple star school under this section. (c) To qualify as a purple star school under this section the school shall: (i) Have a staff member designated as a military liaison who shall: (A) Identify military connected students enrolled at the school; (B) Serve as the point of contact between the school and military connected students and their families or guardians; (C) Assist in developing and coordinating appropriate services and programs relevant to military connected students. (ii) Maintain on the school website an easily accessible web page that includes resources for military connected students and their families or guardians, including information regarding: (A) Relocation to, enrollment at, registration at and transferring records to and from the school; (B) Academic planning, course sequences and advanced classes available at the school; (C) Counseling and other support services available for military connected students enrolled at the campus; and (D) The name and contact information of the military liaison designated by the school under paragraph (i) of this subsection and the liaison's duties. (iii) Maintain a transition program, which may be led by students if appropriate, that assists military connected students in transitioning into the school; (iv) Offer professional development for staff members on issues related to military connected students; (v) Do at least one (1) of the following: (A) Have a resolution adopted by the board of trustees of the school district of the school showing support for military connected students and their families; (B) Provide recognition of the month of the military child or military family month with relevant events hosted by the school; (C) Partner with a local military installation that provides opportunities for active duty military members to volunteer at the school, speak at a school assembly or host a field trip. (d) A school may partner with the school district as necessary to comply with the requirements of this section including providing for a web page on the school district website if the school does not have a website, providing for professional development and the adoption of a resolution as provided in subparagraph (c)(v)(A) of this section. (e) The department shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section.
Propose a changeeducational, physical, mental and emotional health of students; student welfare; procedures; school district prohibitions. (a) Each school district shall: (i) Notify a student's parent or guardian as soon as practicable if there is a change in the student's educational, physical, mental or emotional health or well-being. Procedures adopted under this paragraph shall reinforce the fundamental right of parents and guardians to make decisions regarding the care and control of their children by requiring school district personnel to encourage a student to discuss issues relating to his well-being with his parent or guardian or to facilitate discussion with the parent or guardian; (ii) Not prohibit parents or guardians from accessing any of their student's records created, maintained or used by the school district. Parents or guardians shall be provided access to their student's education, behavior, health and other records within a reasonable time; (iii) Not adopt or implement any formal or informal rules, policies, practices or procedures that prohibit school district personnel from notifying a student's parent or guardian about the student's educational, physical, mental or emotional health or well-being or a change in the student's related services as authorized under paragraphs (a)(i) and (ii) of this section; (iv) Not adopt or implement any formal or informal rule, policies, practices or procedures that direct or, encourage or have the effect of encouraging a student to withhold from a parent or guardian information about the student's educational, physical, mental or emotional health or well-being; (v) Obtain written or electronic permission from each student's parent or legal guardian not less than one (1) day prior to the student participating or receiving instruction in any trainings, courses or classes that address sexual orientation or gender identity. (b) Effective school year 2024-2025 and each school year thereafter, at the beginning of each school year, each school district shall make available to parents and guardians any routine health care services offered or provided at the student's school and provide the option for the parent or guardian to withhold consent or decline any routine specific health care services. Parental or guardian consent to a routine health care service shall not waive the parent's or guardian's right to access the student's educational or health care records or to be notified of a change in the student's educational, physical, mental or emotional health or well-being. Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing school district personnel from rendering first aid to a student or summoning emergency responders in case of sudden need. (c) Before administering a well-being questionnaire or health screening tool to a student or a group of students, each school district shall make available the questionnaire or information on the health screening tool to the parent or guardian and obtain written or verbal consent from the parent or guardian to administer the well-being questionnaire or health screening tool to the student. For purposes of this subsection, "health screening tool" means any diagnostic assessment that detects pre-clinical mental or physiological illness or diseases. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit school district personnel from conducting audiology, vision, scoliosis or body mass index assessments required by federal law unless a parent withholds consent for that assessment in writing. (d) Each school district shall adopt necessary rules, policies, practices and procedures for a parent or guardian to file a complaint with the school district regarding a school district's non-compliance with this section, in accordance with the following: (i) Notwithstanding W.S. 21-2-101, to the extent that any provision of this subsection conflicts with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, this subsection and any rules promulgated thereunder shall control; (ii) To initiate proceedings under this subsection, a parent or guardian shall file a complaint with the school district superintendent or his designee; (iii) The school district superintendent or his designee shall acknowledge in writing receipt of a complaint submitted under this subsection within seven (7) business days from the date of receipt of the complaint, as evidenced by the postmark; (iv) The school district superintendent shall issue a decision in response to a complaint under this subsection not more than thirty (30) calendar days after the written acknowledgment required under paragraph (iii) of this subsection; (v) Any parent or guardian aggrieved by a decision made by a school district superintendent under paragraph (iv) of this subsection may request a hearing before the school district's board of trustees, who shall determine facts relating to the dispute over the school district superintendent's compliance with this section, consider any information provided by the school district superintendent and render a decision within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving the request for a hearing; (vi) Any parent or guardian aggrieved or adversely affected in fact by a final decision of a board of trustees under paragraph (v) of this subsection, may seek judicial review pursuant to W.S. 16-3-114, within thirty (30) calendar days of the decision by the board of trustees, as evidenced by the postmark; (vii) Each school district shall adopt necessary rules, policies and procedures to notify parents and guardians of the rights and procedures available under this subsection; (viii) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to abridge any other rights or remedies under law available to parents and guardians. (e) This section shall be implemented by each school district in accordance with W.S. 14-2-206. (f) Nothing in this section shall prohibit school districts from complying with mandatory reporting of abuse or neglect pursuant to W.S. 14-3-205. For purposes of this section, "abuse" means as defined by W.S. 14-3-202(a)(ii) and "neglect" means as defined by W.S. 14-3-202(a)(vii).
Propose a change(a) There is created the firearms on school property account. The account shall include all legislative appropriations and all monies received from grants, gifts, transfers, bequests and donations to the account. The account is authorized to accept grants, gifts, transfers, bequests and donations. All monies received shall be deposited into the account. Notwithstanding W.S. 9-2-1008, 9-2-1012(e) or 9-4-207, unobligated and unexpended funds in the account shall not lapse or revert and shall remain in the account and available for distribution as provided in this section. (b) Monies deposited into the firearms on school property account shall be continuously appropriated to and expended by the department of education to reimburse school districts only for costs related to possession of firearms on school property by school district employees in accordance with the law. School districts shall apply to the department of education for reimbursement of the costs identified under this subsection on a form provided by the department within one (1) year of the expenses being incurred. As part of the application required under this subsection, school districts shall submit final receipts and certificates of completion for each employee's training completed in accordance with the law or documents evidencing the expenses incurred by the rules adopted by the school district. Reimbursement shall be limited to costs for which funding is not already provided by law. If there are insufficient funds to reimburse all school districts that apply for reimbursement under this section, the department of education shall prorate reimbursement among all approved school district applications in proportion to the amount of costs approved for reimbursement. (c) Funds in the firearms on school property account shall be invested by the state treasurer pursuant to law and the investment earnings shall be credited to the account.
Propose a changedesignated sleeping quarters for school-sponsored activities; requirements; definitions; penalties; rulemaking. (a) As used in this section: (i) "Coach" means a person, including but not limited to coaches, assistant coaches or athletic trainers, employed by or contracted with a public school who is involved in the teaching, coaching or training of students participating in a school-sponsored activity; (ii) "Female" means a person who has, had, will have or would have had, but for a congenital anomaly or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports and utilizes eggs for fertilization; (iii) "Male" means a person who has, had, will have or would have had, but for a congenital anomaly or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports and utilizes sperm for fertilization; (iv) "Restroom" or "changing room" means a room in a public school building designed or designated to be used by one (1) or more persons, where persons may be in various stages of undress in the presence of other persons. The term includes but is not limited to a school restroom, locker room, changing room or shower room; (v) "School-sponsored activity" means an event that is supported and affiliated with the school; (vi) "Sex" means a person's biological sex, either male or female; (vii) "Sleeping quarters" means an area with at least one (1) bed or cot in which at least one (1) person is housed overnight on or off public school property when attending a school-sponsored activity. (b) To ensure privacy and safety, each public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in this state shall require every multiple occupancy restroom, changing room or sleeping quarters to be designated as follows: (i) For the exclusive use of the male sex; or (ii) For the exclusive use of the female sex. (c) Each public school district shall provide a reasonable accommodation to any person who does not wish to use a multiple occupancy restroom, changing room or sleeping quarters in accordance with the designation required under subsection (b) of this section. For purposes of this subsection, a reasonable accommodation shall include a single-occupancy restroom, changing room or sleeping quarters. A reasonable accommodation granted under this subsection shall not include access to a restroom, changing area or sleeping quarters that is designated for use by members of the opposite sex while persons of the opposite sex are present or could be present. (d) This section shall not apply to persons entering a multiple occupancy restroom, changing room or sleeping quarters designated for use by the opposite sex when entering for at least one (1) of the following reasons: (i) For custodial, maintenance, repair or inspection purposes; (ii) To render emergency medical assistance; (iii) If a suitable meeting room or area is not available, a coach may enter a locker room before, during or after a school-sponsored activity, provided: (A) All students present are fully clothed; (B) The coach shall be accompanied by not less than one (1) additional adult at all times; (C) If the coach is the opposite sex of the students present, the coach shall be accompanied by at least one (1) adult of the same sex as the students present; and (D) The adults present shall not be current high school students. (iv) For an adult to render assistance to any student or person requiring assistance because of disability or age; (v) If a suitable meeting room or area is not available and the coach is the coach of a school-sponsored activity with members of both the male and female sexes on the team or in the activity, the coach may enter a locker room before, during or after the school-sponsored activity if all students are fully clothed. The coach shall be accompanied by not less than one (1) additional adult at all times but an additional adult shall not be required if members of the activity of both sexes are present in the locker room. The adults present shall not be current high school students; (vi) To render caregiving assistance; (vii) To receive assistance if the person is accompanied by a family member, legal guardian or the person's designee who is a member of the designated sex for the single-sex restroom, changing area or sleeping quarters; (viii) When necessary to prevent a serious threat to public health or student safety during an ongoing natural disaster or emergency; (ix) When a school official or employee enters a restroom, changing area or sleeping quarters while in the performance of the official's or employee's official duties and who takes reasonable steps to ensure that no person in the room is in a state of undress; (x) When a restroom, changing area or sleeping quarters has been temporarily designated for use by the opposite sex. (e) Each school district board of trustees shall adopt policies to provide for disciplinary action for persons who refuse to comply with this section. (f) No school district board of trustees shall adopt a policy contrary to the provisions of this section. (g) A parent or legal guardian of a student enrolled in and physically attending a public school district shall have a cause of action, including for declaratory and injunctive relief, against the public school for noncompliance with the provisions of subsection (b), (c) or (d) of this section.
Propose a changeRepealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 207, § 3.
Propose a changeRepealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 207, § 3.
Propose a changeRepealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 207, § 3.
Propose a changeRepealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 207, § 3.
Propose a changeRepealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 207, § 3.
Propose a changeRepealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 207, § 3.
Propose a changeRepealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 207, § 3.
Propose a change(a) It is the purpose of this article to provide opportunities for teachers, parents, pupils and community members to establish and maintain schools that operate independently from existing school districts as a method to: (i) Improve pupil learning; (ii) Increase learning opportunities for all pupils, with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences; (iii) Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods; (iv) Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site; and (v) Provide parents and pupils with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system.
Propose a change(a) As used in this article: (i) "A charter school within a school" means a charter school operating within a facility or portion of a facility currently operated by the district as a public school or operated as an adjunct to a public school or schools with students attending both the charter school and the public school; (ii) "A converted charter school" means a charter school converted from an existing public school operating within the district; (iii) "District board" means the board of trustees of a school district elected as the governing body of the school district; (iv) "New charter school" or "charter school" means a public school established and operating under the terms of a charter contract between the charter school's board and its authorizer; (v) "School district" means each school district now or hereafter legally organized as a body corporate pursuant to W.S. 21-3-101, et seq.; (vi) "State board" means the state board of education appointed pursuant to W.S. 21-2-301. (vii) "Authorizer" means a school district board or the Wyoming charter school authorizing board as created by W.S. 21-3-302.2(a); (viii) "Charter" or "charter contract" means the charter contract executed between a charter school and an authorizer; (ix) "Charter application" means the application submitted by a proposed charter school to an authorizer for the creation of a charter school; (x) "Department" means the Wyoming department of education; (xi) "Education service provider" means a for-profit or nonprofit education management organization, charter management organization, or any other partner entity that a charter school contracts with for educational program implementation or for comprehensive management; (xii) "Full-time virtual charter school" means a charter school that offers educational services primarily or completely through an online program; (xiii) "Governing board" means the independent board of a charter school that is a party to a charter contract with the authorizer, whose members have been selected pursuant to the charter application and who are subject to the Ethics and Disclosure Act, W.S. 9-13-101 through 9-13-109.
Propose a change(a) Authorizers shall: (i) Review charter school applications made to the authorizer and make a written determination on the application; (ii) Monitor charter schools approved by the authorizer; (iii) Make decisions on the renewal, nonrenewal and revocation of charters granted by the authorizer; (iv) Establish and maintain policies and practices consistent with the principles and professional standards for authorizers of charter schools related to all of the following: (A) Requirements for organizational capacity and infrastructure of the charter school; (B) Soliciting and evaluating charter applications; (C) Ongoing charter school oversight and evaluation; (D) Charter application approval, renewal and revocation decision making. (v) In determining whether to approve a charter application, the authorizer shall: (A) Grant charters to applicants that possess competence in the elements of the charter application requirements identified in this article; (B) Base decisions on documented evidence collected through the charter application review process. (vi) Act as the local education agency for charter schools authorized to operate under this article to apply for, receive or administer grants through a grant program created by a federal or state statute or program which requires local education agency status. (b) Funding for authorizers shall consist of administrative fees collected from the charter school. Fees shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the charter school's annual state funding. Authorizers shall restrict the expenditure of funds received under this subsection for the purpose of fulfilling duties under this article and shall annually publish and submit to the state superintendent of public instruction a report detailing expenditure of funds. (c) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 179, § 3.
Propose a change(a) There is created the Wyoming charter school authorizing board. The mission of the board is to authorize high quality public charter schools. (b) The Wyoming charter school authorizing board shall consist of the following eight (8) members: (i) Three (3) members appointed by the superintendent of public instruction. Each member appointed under this paragraph shall have at minimum five (5) years of experience in Wyoming in education; (ii) The chairman of the state board of education, or the chairman's designee; (iii) Three (3) members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate; (iv) The dean of the University of Wyoming's college of education, or his designee. (c) Each member appointed shall represent the public interest and satisfy all of the following requirements: (i) Be a resident of the state; (ii) Possess experience and expertise in public or nonprofit governance, management and finance, public school leadership, assessment, curriculum or instruction or public education law. (d) Of the initial members appointed to the board, the members appointed under paragraph (b)(i) of this section shall serve two (2) year terms and the members appointed under paragraph (b)(iii) of this section shall serve four (4) year terms. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for four (4) year terms. The initial appointments shall be made not later than July 1, 2023. (e) Members appointed to the board under paragraph (b)(i) of this section may be removed by the superintendent of public instruction. Members appointed to the board by the governor under paragraph (b)(iii) of this section may be removed in accordance with W.S. 9-1-202. (f) Vacancies shall be appointed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. (g) The board shall meet not less than two (2) times each year. (h) All appointed members of the board shall receive compensation, per diem and mileage for actual time spent in performance of their duties and traveling expenses while in attendance and going to and from board meetings in the same manner and amount as members of the Wyoming legislature. (j) Members shall be subject to the Ethics and Disclosure Act, W.S. 9-13-101 through 9-13-109. (k) Beginning on July 1, 2025 and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Wyoming charter school authorizing board may authorize any number of charter schools in accordance with the requirements of this article.
Propose a change(a) This article shall not prohibit any private person or organization from funding or providing other assistance for the establishment or operation of a charter school established pursuant to this article. (b) No charter shall be granted under this article if it is determined that its sole purpose is to avoid consolidation or closure of any school or district. For purposes of this subsection, consolidation or closure applies regardless of grade configuration, building location or school or district name. (c) No charter application shall be considered from any person, group or organization proposing to convert a private school or a nonpublic home-based educational program into a charter school. (d) No charter school shall enter into a contract with an independent management company or education service provider without the prior written consent of the authorizer. (e) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4.
Propose a change(a) A charter school shall be a public, nonsectarian, nonreligious, nonhome-based school which operates within a public school district. Tuition shall not be charged by a charter school to any student in grades kindergarten through twelve (12). (b) If a charter is granted by a school district, the charter school shall be a public school within the school district that grants its charter. If a charter is granted by the Wyoming charter school authorizing board, the charter school shall be an independent public school within the district where the charter school is located. The charter school shall be accountable to its authorizer for purposes of ensuring compliance with applicable laws and charter provisions and the requirements of the state constitution. (c) A charter school shall be subject to all federal and state laws and constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, ancestry or need for special education services. Enrollment decisions shall be made in a nondiscriminatory manner specified by the charter school applicant in the charter school application. Enrollment decisions shall not discriminate against at-risk students or students with special education needs. A charter school sponsored jointly or separately by the Eastern Shoshone or the Northern Arapaho Indian tribes may give preference to a student who is a member or eligible for membership in an Indian tribe. (d) A charter school shall be administered and governed by a governing body in a manner agreed to by the charter contract. A charter school may organize as a nonprofit corporation pursuant to the Wyoming Nonprofit Corporation Act, which shall not affect its status as a public school for any purposes under Wyoming law. A charter school organized by a school district may include school board members or school district employees on its governing board. (e) A charter school, as a public school, is a governmental entity. Direct leases and financial obligations of a charter school shall not constitute debt or financial obligations of the authorizer unless the authorizer expressly assumes the obligations in writing. (f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this article to the contrary, a charter school and the authorizer may agree to extend the length of the charter beyond five (5) years. (g) A charter school may operate free from specified school district policies and state regulations. Pursuant to contract, a school district may waive locally imposed school district requirements, without seeking approval of the state board. The state board may waive state statutory requirements or rules promulgated by the state board, except that the state board shall not waive any statute or rule relating to the assessments or standards required to be administered. Upon request of the charter applicant, the state board shall provide summaries of such regulations and policies to use in preparing a charter school application. The department of education shall prepare the summary of state regulations within existing appropriations. Any waiver of state or local school district regulations made pursuant to this subsection shall be for the term of the charter for which the waiver is made, except that a waiver of state statutes or regulations by the state board shall be subject to review every two (2) years and may be revoked if the waiver is deemed no longer necessary by the state board. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to exempt the charter school from: (i) Any civil rights, health or safety requirements applicable to other public schools in the state except as specifically provided in this article; (ii) The student assessment and accountability requirements applicable to other public schools, provided that this paragraph shall not prohibit a charter school from establishing additional student assessment measures; (iii) The public records act and public meeting requirements applicable to public schools and school districts and any federal or state privacy laws applicable to public schools or school districts. (h) A charter school shall be responsible for its own operation including, but not limited to, preparation of a budget, contracting for services and personnel matters. (j) A charter school may negotiate and contract with a school district, the governing body of a community college or the University of Wyoming, or any third party for the use of a school building and grounds, the operation and maintenance thereof, and the provision of any service, activity or undertaking that the charter school is required to perform in order to carry out the educational program described in its charter. Any services for which a charter school contracts with a school district shall be provided by the district at the incremental cost and may be negotiated as an agreement separate from a charter contract between the charter school and the authorizer. For school district capital facilities that are rented at the time of the charter school application and had been rented for the immediately preceding six (6) months by a third party, the net loss of rental income shall be considered an incremental cost. The charter school shall have standing to sue and be sued in its own name for the enforcement of any contract created pursuant to this subsection. (k) Except as provided in subsection (j) of this section, a charter school shall not be required to pay rent for space which is deemed available and adequate by the state construction department within the applicable district for operation of the charter school. All other costs for the improvement, modification, operation and maintenance of school district facilities used by the charter school shall be subject to negotiation between the charter school and the district board and may be negotiated as an agreement separate from a charter contract between the charter school and the authorizer. (m) A charter school shall be authorized to offer any educational program that may be offered by a school district unless expressly prohibited by its charter or by state law. (n) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4. (o) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4. (p) Admission to a charter school shall not be determined solely on academic abilities or achievements, including minimum test scores or intelligence quotient scores. (q) Individuals compensated by an education service provider shall be prohibited from serving as a voting member on the governing board of any charter school that contracts with the education service provider unless waived by the authorizer. (r) A charter school governing board shall have access to education service provider records as necessary to oversee the education service provider contract.
Propose a change(a) An approved charter application shall serve as the basis for a contract between the charter school and the authorizer. Within seventy-five (75) days of the final approval of a charter application, the governing board and the authorizer shall execute the charter contract. The charter contract shall: (i) Be a written instrument which is a separate document from the charter application and shall be the final authorizing document for the charter school; (ii) Be executed by an authorizer and a charter school, with a copy submitted to the state superintendent of public instruction within five (5) days after the signature of both parties; (iii) Confer certain rights, privileges and obligations on the charter school pursuant to this article; (iv) Confirm the status of the charter school as a public school; (v) Be granted for five (5) years; (vi) Provide for a review by the authorizer of the charter school's performance, including the progress of the charter school in achieving the academic goals set forth in the charter, at least one (1) time in the first year of operation and one (1) time in each five (5) year period that the charter is in effect thereafter; (vii) Provide for renewal of the charter if the authorizer and the charter school agree to renew the charter pursuant to a renewal application. The renewal application shall meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this section; (viii) Specify the grounds for the authorizer to: (A) Revoke the charter before the term for which the charter is granted; (B) Not renew a charter. (ix) Set forth the methods by which the charter school will be held accountable for achieving the educational mission and goals of the charter school, including the following: (A) Evidence of adequate performance or improvement in: (I) Assessment measures, including the statewide assessment system measures; (II) Attendance rates; (III) Graduation rates, if applicable; (IV) Statewide education accountability system measures; (V) Financial performance and stability; and (VI) Governing board performance and stewardship, including compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, and charter terms. (B) Evidence of progress toward reaching the educational goals set by the charter school. (x) Describe the method to be used to monitor the charter school's: (A) Compliance with applicable law; and (B) Progress in meeting targeted educational performance. (xi) Specify that the authorizer and the charter school may amend the charter during the term of the charter by mutual consent and describe the process for amending the charter; (xii) Describe specific operating requirements, including all the matters set forth in the application for the charter; (xiii) Specify dates for the charter school to: (A) Begin school operations; and (B) Have students attending the charter school. (xiv) Specify that records of a charter school relating to the school's operation and the school's charter are subject to inspection and copying to the same extent that records of a public school are subject to inspection and copying; (xv) Specify that records provided by the charter school to the department or authorizer that relate to compliance by the charter school with the terms of the charter or applicable state or federal laws are subject to inspection and copying; (xvi) Require a charter school to set annual performance targets in conjunction with the charter school's authorizer. The annual performance targets shall be designed to help each school meet applicable federal, state and authorizer requirements; (xvii) Specify closure protocols to ensure students receive educational services without interruption to the greatest extent reasonably possible in the event the charter school closes for any reason. (b) The contract between the charter school and the authorizer may be renewed pursuant to a renewal application. The renewal application shall: (i) Include any guidance provided by the authorizer specifying performance criteria that will guide the authorizer's renewal decisions; (ii) At a minimum, provide an opportunity for the charter school to: (A) Present evidence, beyond the data contained in the performance report, supporting charter renewal; (B) Describe improvements undertaken or planned for the charter school; and (C) Detail the charter school's plans for the next charter term. (iii) Be submitted by the governing board of a charter school seeking renewal not later than December 31 of the year preceding the start of the school year that the charter expires, under the renewal application guidance issued by the authorizer. (c) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4. (d) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4. (e) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4. (f) The authorizer shall make a final decision on the renewal application not later than thirty (30) days after the filing of the renewal application under this subsection. (g) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 179, § 3.
Propose a change(a) Any person may apply to an authorizer for the establishment of a new charter school. The applicant shall have the right to determine which authorizer to apply to and may apply to a different authorizer for renewal of a charter. The Wyoming charter school authorizing board may reject a renewal application from an existing charter school if the renewal is to avoid necessary corrective measures, including closure of the charter school, identified by the authorizer. (b) Administrators and teachers employed by the district, parents of students enrolled in the district and any special district advisory group comprised of district residents may apply to the district board to convert an existing public school operating within the school district to a charter school. An application filed under this subsection shall demonstrate the support of not less than fifty percent (50%) of the teachers employed by the school who teach at the school proposed to be converted, and the parents of fifty percent (50%) of all students attending the school proposed to be converted. A converted charter school operated under this subsection is a separate school and shall have the rights and obligations provided under this article, including but not limited to the ability to hire its own employees. (c) Instead of establishing a new charter school or a converted charter school under this section, a district board and a charter school applicant may by mutual agreement establish a charter school within a school. A charter school operated under this subsection is a separate school and shall have the rights and obligations provided under this article for new and converted charter schools. The agreement between the school board and the charter school may provide that faculty and staff at the charter school may work in both the charter school established under this subsection and other district schools. If district students attend both the charter school established under this subsection and another district school, the students shall be counted for each school in proportion to the percentage of their time spent in each school. (d) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 179, § 3.
Propose a change(a) The charter school application shall be on a form prescribed by the state superintendent pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, and shall include: (i) A description of the educational program of the school, designed to identify those whom the school is attempting to educate, what it means to be an educated person in the twenty-first century and how learning best occurs. The goals identified in that program shall include the objective of enabling pupils to become self-motivated, competent and lifelong learners; (ii) The measurable pupil outcomes identified for use by the charter school. "Pupil outcomes" for purposes of this paragraph means the extent to which all pupils of the school demonstrate they have attained the skills and knowledge specified as goals in the school's educational program. "Pupil outcomes" shall include state assessments and standards; (iii) The method by which pupil progress in meeting those pupil outcomes is to be measured; (iv) The governance structure of the school, including but not limited to the process to be followed by the school to ensure parental, teacher and community involvement; (v) The qualifications to be met by individuals to be employed by the school; (vi) The procedure that the school will follow to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff; (vii) Admission requirements, if applicable, provided that enrollment shall be open to all to the extent seats are available within the applicable grade level, subject to W.S. 21-3-304(c). If the number of applicants for enrollment exceeds the available seats, the charter school shall, subject to W.S. 21-3-304(c), hold a blind lottery to determine enrollment. Students enrolled in the previous year shall be guaranteed a seat, and applicants with a sibling enrolled in the charter school shall receive a preference. For converted charter schools, students who attended the converted charter school the previous school year shall be given an enrollment preference. If the number of students enrolled in the converted charter school does not exceed the capacity of the school, secondary preference shall be given to students who reside within the district boundary in which the charter school is located; (viii) The manner in which an annual audit of the financial and programmatic operations of the school, including any services provided by the authorizer, is to be conducted; (ix) The procedure by which pupils can be suspended or expelled; (x) In accordance with this article, the manner by which staff members of the charter schools will be covered under the Wyoming retirement system and federal social security; (xi) A description of the rights of any employee of the school district upon leaving the employment of the school district to work in a charter school and of any rights upon returning to the school district after employment at a charter school; (xii) Minimum enrollment requirements; (xiii) Evidence of adequate community support; (xiv) Evidence that the plan for the charter school is economically sound; (xv) A proposed budget for the term of the charter; (xvi) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4. (xvii) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4. (xviii) The employment policies of the proposed charter school; (xix) A proposed agreement or summary of a proposed agreement between the charter school governing board and the authorizer and, if applicable, the district regarding their respective legal liability and applicable insurance coverage; (xx) A description of how the charter school plans to meet the transportation needs of its pupils and whether the charter school plans to provide transportation for pupils; (xxi) In accordance with this article, a description of the rights of any employee of the school district upon commencing employment in a charter school; (xxii) A financial feasibility statement providing evidence of charter school viability following the first three (3) years of charter school operation; (xxiii) In the case of a proposed charter school that plans to establish a full-time virtual charter school, the application shall additionally require the applicant to provide a description regarding the methods by which the charter school will: (A) Ensure adequate supports are available to the students in their homes or regions, including parent teacher conferences and interactions; (B) Monitor student outcomes and administer state required assessments to all students in a proctored setting; (C) Establish and implement legally permissible criteria and processes for enrollment based on the existence of supports needed for student success; (D) Provide the desired enrollment level of the school for each year of the charter contract, not to exceed two hundred fifty (250) students in any given year, with any increases in enrollment from one (1) year to the next based on whether the school meets its performance requirements; (E) Provide a detailed budget for the school and propose a funding level per student for the school that is based upon that budget; (F) Provide data for oversight, funding, renewal and closure decisions for full-time virtual charter school specific goals regarding student enrollment, attendance, engagement, achievement, truancy and attrition that demonstrates the school meets agreed upon benchmarks; (G) Provide that no more than twenty percent (20%) of its enrollment shall be from outside of the school district where the charter school is located without prior approval of the authorizer. (xxiv) In the case of a proposed charter school that intends to contract with an education service provider for educational program implementation or comprehensive management, the application shall additionally require the applicant to: (A) Provide evidence of the education service provider's success in serving student populations similar to the targeted population, including demonstrated academic achievement as well as successful management of nonacademic school functions, if applicable; (B) Provide a term sheet setting forth the proposed duration of the education service contract, the roles and responsibilities of the governing board, the school staff and the service provider, the scope of services and resources to be provided by the service provider, the performance evaluation measures and timelines for the service provider, the compensation structure for the service provider including clear identification of all fees to be paid to the education service provider, methods of contract oversight and enforcement, investment disclosures and conditions for renewal and termination of the contract; and (C) Disclose and explain any existing or potential conflicts of interest between the school governing board, the school's leadership and management team and the proposed education service provider or any affiliated business entities. (xxv) In the case of a proposed charter public school from an applicant that currently operates one (1) or more additional schools inside or outside of Wyoming, the application shall additionally require the applicant to provide evidence of past performance and the capacity for the operation of the additional school; (xxvi) The school's plans for identifying and providing an education to all students enrolled or to be enrolled in the charter school, including but not limited to students with special education needs, students who are English language learners and gifted and talented students. (b) Upon submission of an application under W.S. 21-3-307(a), the authorizer shall notify the applicant whether the application is complete. If the authorizer determines that the application is incomplete, the authorizer shall advise the applicant of the reasons for the determination in sufficient detail for the applicant to make changes for resubmission of the application to the authorizer. (c) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4. (d) The state superintendent shall through rule and regulation prescribe a uniform charter school application and renewal application form to be used by each authorizer and charter school applicant for purposes of this article, and shall establish charter school application review procedures, including timelines for application components specified under subsection (a) of this section. The phased application process prescribed by state superintendent rule and regulation may provide a process for mediation of disputes concerning completeness of an application between the applicant and authorizer, which would be subject to W.S. 1-43-101 through 1-43-104, would allow either party to initiate mediation and would impose costs of mediation equally upon both parties. Any mediation process prescribed by rule shall specify professional requirements for the impartial third party facilitating mediation. If either party refuses to mediate, the dispute may be appealed to the state board. (e) The Wyoming charter school authorizing board shall submit all applications received under this section to the department of education for review of compliance with the accreditation requirements. The department of education shall submit a report of this review to the Wyoming charter school authorizing board.
Propose a changeauthorizer; criteria; compliance with state standards; contractual authority. (a) After receiving an application for any charter school which has been determined to be complete pursuant to W.S. 21-3-307(b), the authorizer shall hold a public hearing on the application, at which time the authorizer shall consider the level of community and parental support for the application if an application for a new charter school, or the level of teacher and parental support if an application for a converted charter school or charter school within a school. The application review process shall also include an in-person interview of the applicant or applicant group. Following review of the application and the public hearing, if applicable, and in accordance with subsection (d) of this section, the authorizer shall either approve or deny the application within one hundred twenty (120) days of receipt. In addition, the authorizer may approve an application for the operation of a converted charter school only if it determines teacher and parental support for the conversion are established at the levels required by W.S. 21-3-306(b). Prior to approving an application for a charter school under this section, the authorizer shall approve and adopt the content and terms of the charter as provided in W.S. 21-3-307. (b) No district board of trustees or agent of the board shall require any employee of the school district to be employed in a charter school or any pupil enrolled in the school district to attend a charter school. No district board or its agent shall harass, threaten, discipline, discharge, retaliate or in any manner discriminate against any district employee involved directly or indirectly with an application to establish a charter school as authorized under this article. (c) The applicant shall provide with the application information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the school, including but not limited to the facilities to be utilized by the school, the manner in which administrative services of the school are to be provided and a demonstration that the school is adequately insured for liability, including errors and omissions coverage, and that the authorizer is indemnified to the fullest extent possible. A district board may upon request of the applicant and approval of the charter school application, make available for use by the charter school any district facility which is closed, not operational and otherwise feasible for use as an educational building as defined under W.S. 21-15-109(a)(ii). (d) Upon the approval of any application by the authorizer, the applicant shall provide written notice of that approval including a copy of the application to the state superintendent. If the authorizer denies the application, the authorizer shall not later than forty-five (45) days following the date of its decision, notify the applicant of the denial in writing together with its reasons for denial. (e) A charter school may contract for the provision of services and property subject to the following: (i) The contract shall be executed in the same manner and subject to the same restrictions as contracts by a school district; (ii) The charter school shall be subject to all competitive bidding laws which apply to a school district; (iii) The contract shall not exceed funds available to the charter school; (iv) The contract shall not exceed the remaining length of operation for which the charter school was approved pursuant to W.S. 21-3-309; (v) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4. (f) A school district shall not discriminate against a charter school in publicizing the district's educational options through advertising, direct mail, availability of mailing lists or other informational activities. (g) Charter schools shall meet the state uniform educational program standards imposed upon public schools by W.S. 21-9-101 and 21-9-102 and the uniform state student content and performance standards prescribed by the state board of education under W.S. 21-2-304, including compliance with requirements under the statewide assessment system pursuant to W.S. 21-2-304(a)(v). (h) Those teachers employed on a full-time basis in the charter school system shall be subject to the same requirements with respect to certification by the Wyoming professional teaching standards board under W.S. 21-2-802 and other qualifications as any other teachers authorized to teach in Wyoming public schools.
Propose a change(a) A charter contract may be granted pursuant to this article for a period of five (5) years. A charter contract may be renewed for successive five (5) year terms, provided that the authorizer may vary the duration of the term based on the performance, demonstrated capacities and particular circumstances of the charter school. An authorizer may grant renewal of the charter contract with specific conditions for necessary improvements to the charter school. (b) A charter school renewal application submitted to the authorizer shall be on a form prescribed by the state superintendent pursuant to W.S. 21-3-307(d) and in accordance with W.S. 21-3-305(b) and shall contain: (i) A report on the progress of the charter school in achieving the goals, objectives, pupil performance standards, content standards and other terms of the initial approved charter application; and (ii) A financial statement that discloses the costs of administration, instruction and other spending categories for the charter school that is understandable to the general public and that will allow comparison of such costs to other schools or other comparable organizations, in a format required by the state board. (c) A charter may be revoked or not renewed by the authorizer if the authorizer determines that the charter school did any of the following: (i) Committed a material violation of any of the conditions, standards or procedures set forth in the charter application; (ii) Failed to meet or make reasonable progress toward achievement of the content standards or pupil performance standards identified in the charter application; (iii) Failed to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management; or (iv) Violated any provision of law from which the charter school was not specifically exempted. (d) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4. (e) If an authorizer revokes or does not renew a charter, the authorizer shall state its reasons for the revocation or nonrenewal. (f) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4. (g) The charter school may appeal the authorizer's decision to revoke or not renew a charter application first to the office of administrative hearings, then to the district court where the charter school is located.
Propose a changeRepealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4.
Propose a change(a) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4. (b) Any charter school shall participate in the Wyoming retirement system to the extent as if it were a public school within the district as designated in the charter.
Propose a changeEach authorizer granting a charter pursuant to this article shall annually report to the state board on each charter school operating under its authorization and compliance with the provisions of the charter.
Propose a change(a) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4. (b) The employment status of school district employees employed by the charter school who seek to return to employment with noncharter schools in the school district shall be negotiated with the school district and included in the charter contract. (c) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 169, § 4.
Propose a change(a) Each student attending a charter school shall be counted among the average daily membership of the school district in which the school is located and the school shall be included in the district's configuration of schools reported to the state superintendent under W.S. 21-13-309(m)(iv). Average daily membership of the charter school shall be calculated as follows: (i) Notwithstanding W.S. 21-13-309(m)(iv)(A), in the first year of operation, the average daily membership for the charter school shall be based on the following: (A) Initial average daily membership shall be calculated based upon the March 1 list of students who intend to enroll in the charter school as required under subsection (b) of this section; (B) The average daily membership of the charter school computed under subparagraph (i)(A) of this subsection shall be adjusted by the enrollment count taken on October 1 of the first year of operation; (C) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 179, § 3. (ii) In the second year and all subsequent years and except as otherwise provided under paragraph (iv) of this subsection, the average daily membership of the charter school shall be counted only among the average daily membership of the school district; (iii) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 179, § 3. (iv) Notwithstanding W.S. 21-13-309(m)(iv)(A), in the second and third year of charter school operation, the average daily membership of a charter school shall be based upon the prior school year average daily membership adjusted by the enrollment count taken on October 1 of the applicable school year; (v) Notwithstanding W.S. 21-13-309(m)(iv)(A), for any charter school in its fourth or subsequent year of charter school operation and the charter school expands its enrollment to include one (1) or more consecutive grade levels above its current school configuration of grades, the average daily membership for the charter school shall be adjusted by the enrollment count taken on October 1 of the first year of operation under the expanded grade level or levels. (b) Any approved charter school shall provide the local school district with the names, grades and school of current enrollment for all students who plan to enroll in the proposed charter school. The information shall be provided no later than March 1 of the school year preceding the school year in which the charter school plans to begin operation. (c) The charter school shall be entitled to the following amounts: (i) Except as provided in paragraph (vi) of this subsection, one hundred percent (100%) of the foundation program amount computed under W.S. 21-13-309(m) and 21-13-309.1 based upon the average daily membership of the charter school, less amounts generated by the charter school's membership under W.S. 21-13-309.1(c)(xxiv) and (xxvii) and less amounts specified under W.S. 21-13-309(m)(v)(E)(III) through (V); (ii) One hundred percent (100%) of the amount to be contributed to the school district under major maintenance payments pursuant to W.S. 21-15-109 based upon the proportion that the charter school educational building gross square footage contributes to the district educational building gross square footage; (iii) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 179, § 3. (iv) One hundred percent (100%) of the amount expended by the charter school that is eligible for reimbursement under W.S. 21-13-320 and 21-13-321 as computed under W.S. 21-13-309(m); (v) One hundred percent (100%) of the amount expended by the charter school that is eligible for reimbursement by the department of education under W.S. 9-3-413 and 9-3-413.1; (vi) A percentage amount calculated by dividing the charter school's average daily membership by the total average daily membership of the charter school's respective school district multiplied by the amounts generated from the foundation program amount computed under W.S. 21-13-309(m) and W.S. 21-13-309.1(c)(xxiv) and (xxvii). (d) The charter school may also contract with the school district for centralized services provided by the district including curriculum, media services, libraries and federally required educational services such as special education. (e) The district and the charter school may by mutual agreement fund the charter school through a specific budget for the charter school. (f) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 179, § 3.
Propose a changeRepealed by Laws 2026, ch. 66, § 4.
Propose a change(a) The Wyoming language and literacy program is created. (b) The purpose of this act is to ensure that every student in kindergarten through grade twelve (12) develops strong language and literacy skills by establishing a comprehensive system of evidence based language and literacy instruction, assessment, intervention and professional development that supports educators, engages families and promotes literacy proficiency for all Wyoming students.
Propose a change(a) As used in this article: (i) "Department" means the state department of education created pursuant to W.S. 21-2-104; (ii) "Developmental language disorder" or "DLD" means a primary language disorder that is not attributable to a known biomedical condition and is characterized by persistent difficulties learning, understanding or using language that cause functional impairment in everyday activities. The disorder may affect speaking, listening, reading and writing, may co-occur with other neurodevelopmental conditions and typically persists from early childhood into adulthood; (iii) "Diagnostic assessment" means a valid and reliable specialized assessment used to evaluate specific areas of language and literacy for students with reading difficulties or at risk for poor reading outcomes and provide data to inform individualized reading plans and evidence based language and literacy instruction and intervention; (iv) "District language and literacy plan" or "DLLP" means a school district's written comprehensive strategy, including professional development, progress monitoring and family engagement and intervention, to identify students with reading difficulties and deliver evidence based language and literacy instruction through a multitiered system of support for students with reading difficulties or at risk for poor reading outcomes; (v) "Dyslexia" means a specific learning disability neurobiological in origin, characterized by difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities, typically resulting from a deficit in the phonological component of language and often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that may impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge; (vi) "Dyslexia screener" means a valid and reliable brief assessment used to identify students who may have characteristics associated with dyslexia and aligned with evidence based language and literacy instruction. A dyslexia screener does not diagnose dyslexia; (vii) "Evidence based language and literacy instruction" means explicit, systematic, cumulative and diagnostic instruction grounded in the science of reading that develops accurate and fluent word recognition and language comprehension. Instruction includes, as appropriate to developmental level, phonological and phonemic awareness, sound– symbol association, decoding and encoding, syllable structure, morphology, syntax, semantics, vocabulary development, oral reading fluency, background knowledge and discourse-level comprehension, coordinated to support fluent word recognition, deep comprehension and effective written expression; (viii) "Grade level reading proficiency" means as defined by the state superintendent and adopted in rule; (ix) "High quality instructional materials and practices" means curriculum, instructional methods and teaching tools aligned with evidence based language and literacy instruction and supported by strong or moderate evidence of effectiveness; (x) "Individualized reading plan" or "IRP" means a written plan developed for an individual student identified as having reading difficulties or at risk for poor reading outcomes that includes evidence based language and literacy instruction and intervention, measurable goals and progress monitoring; (xi) "Literacy proficiency" means the ability to read, write, speak and understand language with accuracy, automaticity and effective expression in order to comprehend and communicate across content areas. Literacy proficiency includes reading fluency, which consists of rate, accuracy and expression, and integration of vocabulary knowledge, background knowledge and language comprehension that support proficient reading and written expression; (xii) "Multitiered system of support" or "MTSS" means a tiered framework that provides universal, targeted and intensive levels of academic and behavioral support and evidence based language and literacy instruction, and uses screeners and diagnostic assessments, data-based decision making and progress monitoring to improve outcomes for all students; (xiii) "Reading difficulties" means conditions or patterns of learning that interfere with the development of accurate and fluent word recognition, spelling or comprehension, including but not limited to dyslexia and developmental language disorder, as demonstrated by a student's performance on a screener or diagnostic assessment; (xiv) "State superintendent" means the state superintendent of public instruction; (xv) "Three-cueing system" means any model of teaching students to read based on meaning, structure and syntax and visual cues; (xvi) "Universal screener" means a valid and reliable brief assessment used to identify students with reading difficulties or at risk for poor reading outcomes that is aligned with evidence based language and literacy instruction.
Propose a changeadministration of screeners and diagnostic assessments; multitiered system of support; individualized reading plans. (a) Each school district shall adopt and implement a DLLP to ensure language and literacy competency and literacy proficiency for students in kindergarten through grade twelve (12). The DLLP shall, at a minimum: (i) Use universal and dyslexia screeners and diagnostic assessments to assess and identify students with reading difficulties and students at risk for poor reading outcomes. After administration of a screener or diagnostic assessment, each school district shall provide the results of the student's performance on the screener or assessment administered pursuant to this paragraph to the student's parent or guardian. Screeners and diagnostic assessments shall be approved by the state superintendent pursuant to W.S. 21-3-405(a)(i) and shall be administered as follows: (A) A dyslexia screener, once each fall, for all students in kindergarten through grade two (2); (B) A universal screener, three (3) times each school year, for all students in kindergarten through grade three (3); (C) A universal screener, once each school year, for all students in grades four (4) through twelve (12) who have not demonstrated grade level reading proficiency, for any student transferring into an elementary or secondary public school in the state and for any student identified as not proficient or at risk for poor reading outcomes through district procedures or recent assessments; (D) Diagnostic assessments as appropriate for any student identified with a reading difficulty or at risk for poor reading outcomes. (ii) Use high quality instructional materials and practices aligned with the science of reading to deliver evidence based language and literacy instruction; (iii) Deploy an MTSS that ensures comprehensive and effective evidence based language and literacy instruction and intervention to improve the literacy proficiency of all students. The MTSS shall, at a minimum, include: (A) Tier I, to provide explicit and systematic evidence based language and literacy instruction for all students in kindergarten through grade twelve (12); (B) Tier II, to provide supplemental evidence based language and literacy instruction with targeted assistance and ongoing progress monitoring for students with reading difficulties; (C) Tier III, to deliver intensive and individualized evidence based language and literacy instruction and intervention for students with significant and persistent reading difficulties. (iv) Implement an IRP for each student identified as having reading difficulties or at risk for poor reading outcomes. An individualized education program (IEP) prepared for a student pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act shall be deemed an IRP for purposes of this paragraph. The IRP shall: (A) Specify evidence based language and literacy instruction specific to the student's reading difficulties; (B) Identify measurable language, literacy and reading goals and progress monitoring methods; (C) Be integrated into the student's educational record; (D) Be developed in collaboration with the student's parent or guardian and implemented within thirty (30) calendar days after identification of a student with reading difficulties or at risk for poor reading outcomes pursuant to paragraph (i) of this subsection. The school district shall notify the student's parent or guardian of the student's progress quarterly during the applicable school year. (v) Prohibit the use of the three-cueing system as the only basis for teaching word recognition or decoding. (b) Each school district with sixty percent (60%) or more students not demonstrating grade level reading proficiency, as defined by rule of the state superintendent, shall offer summer literacy camps or extended supports, including after school support and tutoring, for all students in grades one (1) through three (3) with an IRP. The instruction required pursuant to this subsection shall consist of appropriate, evidence based language and literacy instruction aligned with each student's IRP and shall include age and district appropriate hours additional instruction beyond that delivered during the regular course of the school year. (c) Each school district shall ensure any person employed by the school district receives job embedded, practice based and ongoing literacy related professional development appropriate to their role and level of responsibility. The minimum professional development shall include opportunities for literacy coaching and leadership development to support effective implementation of evidence based language and literacy instruction. The hours and content requirements shall be as defined by rule of the state superintendent pursuant to W.S. 21-3-405(a)(ii). (d) Not later than August 15 each year, for the prior school year, each school district shall report to the department: (i) The percentage of students not achieving grade level reading proficiency; (ii) The average growth, by grade, for the lowest performing ten percent (10%) of students in relation to grade level reading proficiency; (iii) A list of the evidence based language and literacy instruction and high quality instructional materials and practices utilized by the school district; (iv) The qualifications, as defined by rule of the state superintendent, of any person employed by the school district that delivers language and literacy instruction to students.
Propose a change(a) The state superintendent shall, by rule: (i) In consultation with school districts, identify universal and dyslexia screeners, diagnostic assessments, evidence based language and literacy instruction and high quality instructional materials and practices to be utilized by school districts. School districts may request the state superintendent approve use of alternatives not incorporated in rule in the manner and form required by the state superintendent; (ii) Establish professional development requirements related to effective language and literacy instruction for all teachers and instructional staff, differentiated by their role, level of responsibility and grade level in supporting literacy proficiency; (iii) Define terms necessary for the administration and implementation of this act, including but not limited to, "grade level reading proficiency", "qualifications", "significant and persistent reading difficulties", the "science of reading", "progress monitoring" and "at risk for poor reading outcomes"; (iv) Ensure school districts comply with the requirements of this act through monitoring and providing technical assistance to school districts. The rules shall identify policies and procedures for imposition of corrective action plans for school districts failing to adhere to the requirements of this act. (b) The state superintendent shall post the information reported by school districts pursuant to W.S. 21-3-404(d) to the department's website. (c) Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit or prohibit the expenditure of federal funds or other funds for the purposes of this article.
Propose a change(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, any school district providing instruction in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) for driver's education shall upon application to the department of transportation through the department of education in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, be reimbursed an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the amount actually expended by the district during the immediately preceding school year for driver's education programs relating to alcohol-impaired driving. Reimbursement under this section shall be paid by the department of transportation to the qualifying district on or before October 15 of any school year. (b) Reimbursement to school districts under this section shall be limited by the amount of federal or state funds made available for this program for any school year. (c) Application under subsection (a) of this section shall be in a manner and form prescribed by department of transportation rule and regulation, shall include driver's education program expenditures for the applicable reporting period and shall be submitted to the department of education not later than September 1 of the appropriate school year. Expenditures qualifying for reimbursement under this section shall be subject to guidelines and standards established by department of transportation rule and regulation. (d) The school finance section of the department of audit established under W.S. 9-1-513 shall conduct periodic audits of the information submitted within applications filed under this section and shall include the resulting audit findings within the department's annual report to the legislature required by W.S. 9-1-513(b)(viii). (e) The department of education in consultation with the department of transportation shall provide by rule and regulation standards for driver education programs in high schools, private schools as defined in W.S. 21-4-101(a)(iii), community colleges, boards of cooperative educational services, community education programs and drivers' education schools. The department of transportation in consultation with the department of education shall adopt procedures by rule and regulation to implement the provisions of W.S. 31-7-108(a). (f) The department shall designate and may employ a state coordinator of driver education programs to provide oversight of all driver education programs throughout the state. The responsibilities of the coordinator shall include, but not be limited to: (i) Assuring quality driver education programs in this state; (ii) Serving as a liaison between the department of education and the department of transportation; (iii) Promoting driver safety throughout the state; and (iv) Reviewing and approving driver education programs in accordance with the rules and regulations issued by the departments of education and transportation. (g) No driver education program identified in subsection (e) of this section shall issue a certificate for purposes of W.S. 31-7-108(a) unless the school's program has first been reviewed and issued a certificate of approval by the state coordinator of driver education. Certificates of approval shall be issued only upon written application of the school, and shall be issued for such periods and in such manner as provided in rules and regulations of the department of education.
Propose a change(a) For the purposes of this article: (i) "Unexcused absence" means the absence, as defined in the rules of the local board of trustees pursuant to W.S. 21-3-110(a)(xxxix); (ii) "Habitual truant" means any child who disobeys reasonable and lawful demands of the child's parent, guardian, custodian or other proper authority to attend school if required under W.S. 21-4-102 and as further defined in the rules of the local board of trustees pursuant to W.S. 21-3-110(a)(xxxix); (iii) "Private school" is any nonpublic, elementary or secondary school providing a basic academic educational program for children and may include parochial and church or religious schools and home-based educational programs; (iv) "Parochial, church or religious school" is one operated under the auspices or control of a local church or religious congregation or a denomination established to promote and promulgate the commonly held religious doctrines of the group though it may also include basic academic subjects in its curriculum. Nothing contained in W.S. 21-4-102(b), 21-2-401 or 21-2-406 grants to the state of Wyoming or any of its officers, agencies or subdivisions any right or authority to control, manage, supervise or make any suggestions as to the control, management or supervision of any parochial, church or religious school which meets the requirements of W.S. 21-2-406(a); (v) A home-based educational program means a program of educational instruction provided to a child by the child's parent or legal guardian or by a person designated by the parent or legal guardian; (vi) "Basic academic educational program" is one that provides a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, civics, history, literature and science. These curriculum requirements do not require any private school or home-based educational program to include in its curriculum any concept, topic or practice in conflict with its religious doctrines or to exclude from its curriculum any concept, topic or practice consistent with its religious doctrines; (vii) "Willful absenteeism" means exceeding the limit of unexcused absences as defined in the rules of the local board of trustees pursuant to W.S. 21-3-110(a)(xxxix) when the excess absences are the result of a parent's, guardian's or custodian's willful failure, neglect or refusal to require a child's regular attendance at school in accordance with W.S. 21-4-102.
Propose a change(a) Every parent, guardian or other person having control or charge of any child who is a resident of this state and whose seventh birthday falls on or before August 1, or September 15 if the child started kindergarten pursuant to an approved request under W.S. 21-3-110(a)(xxxviii), of any year and who has not yet attained his sixteenth birthday or completed the tenth grade shall be required to send such child to, and such child shall be required to attend, a public or private school each year, during the entire time that the public schools shall be in session in the district in which the pupil resides; provided, that the board of trustees of each school district may exempt any child from the operation of this article when: (i) The board believes that compulsory attendance in school would be detrimental to the mental or physical health of such child or the other children in the school; provided, the board may designate at the expense of the district a medical doctor of its choice to guide it and support it in its decision; (ii) The board feels that compulsory school attendance might work undue hardship. The board may conduct a hearing on issues pursuant to this paragraph by executive session; or (iii) The child has been legally excluded from the regular schools pursuant to the provisions of W.S. 21-4-306. (b) A home-based educational program shall meet the requirements of a basic academic educational program pursuant to W.S. 21-4-101(a)(vi). It shall be the responsibility of every person administering a home-based educational program to ensure a curriculum is administered to pupils in the program that complies with the requirements of this subsection. (c) In addition to subsection (a) of this section, the parent, guardian or other person having control or charge of any child under the age of eighteen (18), who has not otherwise notified the district of enrolling that child in a different school district or in a private school or home-based educational program, shall meet in person with a school district counselor or administrator to provide the school district with written consent to the withdrawal of that child from school attendance. The written consent to withdrawal shall include a separate provision authorizing the release of the student's identity and address to the Wyoming national guard youth challenge program, as established by W.S. 19-9-701, for the sole purpose of recruitment into the Wyoming national guard youth challenge program. (d) A child participating in the ESA program specified by W.S. 21-2-901 and who provides notice of participation in the ESA program to the child's school district shall be deemed to be in compliance with the compulsory attendance requirement under this section.
Propose a changeThe primary responsibility for the enforcement of this article shall be upon the board of trustees of the school district, which shall appoint an attendance officer or officers to carry out the provisions of this article. Said officer shall be paid out of the district treasury such sum as may be provided in the order of appointment.
Propose a change(a) Subject to the rules and policies of the board of trustees, it shall be the duty of each attendance officer to: (i) Counsel with students, parents, guardians or custodians and teachers; and to investigate the causes of unexcused absences, habitual truancy and willful absenteeism; (ii) Give written notice to the parent, guardian, or custodian of any child having an unexcused absence that the attendance of such child at school is required by law under W.S. 21-4-102 and local board rules pursuant to W.S. 21-3-110(a)(xxxix). If after such notice has been given, the child has continued unexcused absences in violation of W.S. 21-4-102 or local board of trustees rules under W.S. 21-3-110(a)(xxxix) and the attendance officer reasonably believes that the unexcused absences were due to neglect as defined in W.S. 14-3-202(a)(vii), willful absenteeism or habitual truancy, the attendance officer shall proceed in accordance with W.S. 21-4-107.
Propose a changeAny parent, guardian or custodian of any child to whom this article applies who willfully fails, neglects or refuses to comply with the provisions of this article may be punished by not more than ten (10) days of community service and subject to proceedings under the Child Protection Act, W.S. 14-3-401 et seq., or the Children In Need of Supervision Act, W.S. 14-6-401 et seq., or both.
Propose a change