Wyoming

Yes

Yes.

W.S. 21-4-301 was revamped during legislative session 2022. Rules have been promulgated and are nearing finalization and full implementation. The rules include K-3 screening criteria and indicators, requirements for individual reading plan and parental notification, use of evidence based programs, professional development requirements for K-3 educators, and data reporting all within an MTSS structure.

The chapter 56 rules were completed and are linked here.

We have pivotal legislation coming forward in February that will change our K-3 into a Comprehensive K-12 language and literacy legislation.

• Statute page

No.  Due to local control, the WDE is not allowed to suggest or approve curriculum.  CLSD grant districts are required to have their curriculum approved, however, and all districts are strongly encouraged to use evidence based curriculum.

Yes, and  updated the process and required that CLSD districts submit evidence with any funding request:

The following questions must be filled out and aligned to the federal guidelines. “Evidence-based, when used with respect to a State, LEA, or school activity, means an activity, strategy, or intervention that demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving student outcomes or other relevant outcomes based on:

1. Strong evidence from at least one well-designed and well-implemented experimental study;
2. Moderate evidence from at least one well-designed and well implemented quasi-experimental study; or
3. Promising evidence from at least one well-designed and well implemented correlational student with statistical controls for selection bias.” (P. 18940, Federal Register)

Applicants must provide justification of alignment with evidence- and science-based practices. Evidence provided can include: What Works Clearinghouse, State Advisory lists, ESSA evidence, etc.

To support your request, please provide a link to a Google review document demonstrating that the requested curriculum has been shown to be effective. Include relevant links, excerpts, or other documentation that substantiate its evidence base and alignment with the stated requirements.

• What Works Clearinghouse
• IES Practice Guides
• TRL National Curriculum Navigation Reports
• TRL Compass Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines
• Knowledge Matters Review Tool
• Evidence tiers defined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
• EdReports
• Wyoming Curriculum Request Form

Yes.

• Screening Indicators

More and updated guidance in addition to what has been developed and posted as the rules are being finalized.
6 screening tools have been approved for districts.

• WDE Literacy Website
• WDE K-3 Foundational Reading Webpage

Assessment guidance in development

Minimal statement in current state statute.  Pending rules provide more policy requirements.  MTSS Literacy Guidebook in development.  Webinar being presented to the state in October.

Yes.

• Professional Development Roles and Time Requirements

Training courses in development through the RFP process to meet K-3 PD statute requirements.
Webinar and conference sessions available all linked to evidence based reading practices.

• K-3 Literacy Guidance Framework   Will be updated soon.

CLSD Grant – 25 / 48 districts have the grant

• CLSD Goals

No

No – not yet.

No.  We provide webinar and conference sessions at the secondary level and have discussed creating a Secondary Framework.

No – webinar to be held in spring 2024.  Guidance documents will also be developed

No.  We are part of Path Forward Cohort 2 and are working on an action plan.

Wyoming Department of Education – Language and Literacy

‘We mean business’: WDE announces Language and Literacy Initiative

Media Event Summary: Wyoming Language & Literacy Initiative

Purpose:
This event launches Wyoming’s Language and Literacy Initiative. It unites key system partners in a shared commitment to improving reading achievement, advancing educator development, and strengthening family engagement through the science of reading.

Partners:
Superintendent Megan Degenfelder invites you to attend a hybrid media conference to announce a statewide Language and Literacy Initiative in partnership with the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Education Committee, the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB), the University of Wyoming College of Education, the University of Wyoming Literacy Research Center and Clinic (LRCC), the University of Wyoming Division of Communication Disorders – Speech-Language Pathology, the University of Wyoming Early Childhood Education Program, the Wyoming Community College Commission, the John P. Ellbogen Foundation, Wyoming Right to Read, and Cox Campus.

Run of Show:

Welcome and Housekeeping – Linda Finnerty
Opening remarks, media logistics, and an overview of the program.

1. Superintendent Megan Degenfelder:
   Announces the Superintendent’s Language and Literacy Initiative, a unifying statewide effort to ensure every Wyoming student gains the language and literacy skills necessary for lifelong success.
2. Legislators: Senator ChrisRothfuss and Senator Wendy Schuler provide remarks on legislative collaboration and the state’s ongoing commitment to advancing literacy for all Wyoming students through evidence-aligned practices and the science of reading.
3. Dr. Claudia Ladd, Wyoming Department of Education (2–3 minutes)
   Introduces the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant and announces the Professional Learning Partnership with Cox Campus (Cox Campus will be virtual), Structured Literacy professional learning in the science of reading for educators statewide.
4. Dr. Kim Gustafson, University of Wyoming Literacy Research Center and Clinic (LRCC) (2–3 minutes)
   Introduces an upcoming collaborative project to create a Dyslexia Specialist Program, developed alongside the International Dyslexia Association and accredited by CERI. Dr. Gustafson will emphasize how this program expands Wyoming’s educator preparation pathways and aligns with statewide efforts to support students with characteristics of dyslexia through instruction grounded in the science of reading.
5. Dean Jenna Shim, University of Wyoming College of Education (2–3 minutes)
   Provides an overview of programming within the University of Wyoming College of Education and highlights the partnership with the Wyoming Department of Education to strengthen educator preparation and professional learning through evidence-based literacy instruction. 
6. Brendan O’Connor (2–3 minutes)
   Shares remarks on the partnership with the Wyoming Department of Education, integrating the International Dyslexia Association’s Knowledge and Practice Standards (KPS) for Teachers of Reading into the Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) review process, and creating a certification pathway offering a Structured Literacy Certificate for Wyoming educators who complete the Cox Campus Structured Literacy Course and earn a passing score on the final exam.
7. Kari Roddan, Wyoming Right to Read (2–3 minutes)
   Highlights community engagement and partnership efforts, Dyslexia Awareness Month, and the continuing advocacy of Wyoming Right to Read in promoting awareness and access to instruction grounded in the science of reading for all students.

Media Questions – Linda Finnerty
Facilitated Q&A with all speakers.

Closing:
This event reflects Wyoming’s unified and forward-looking commitment to ensuring that every child has access to high-quality, evidence-aligned language and literacy instruction rooted in the science of reading. The Language and Literacy Initiative establishes a cohesive foundation for sustainable literacy improvement for all Wyoming students through collaboration among state leaders, higher education institutions, educators, and partners. This collaboration is not limited by the people here today; it is a growing partnership working towards the common goal for Wyoming kids and literacy.