Bill > SF0178

This bill addresses reading instruction and intervention in Wyoming schools, focusing on identifying and addressing reading difficulties for students in kindergarten through fourth grade. It establishes a comprehensive reading assessment and intervention program that requires schools to screen students for reading difficulties at least three times per year, develop individualized reading plans for struggling readers, and potentially retain students in grades three and four if they do not meet reading proficiency standards. The bill defines key terms like "dyslexia" and "reading difficulty" and distinguishes between requirements for high-performing and non-high-performing school districts. For non-high-performing districts, the bill mandates more intensive interventions, including potential grade retention, summer school programs, and private tutoring. Parents are given significant rights, including the ability to participate in developing reading intervention plans and the option to take legal action if schools fail to provide adequate reading support. The bill also creates an operations research staff within the state Department of Education to support implementation and allows the state superintendent more flexibility in managing this staff. Additionally, the bill provides for potential professional certification suspension or revocation for teachers who engage in fraudulent practices during reading assessments, with a long-term goal of having 85% of students score proficient or advanced on English language arts assessments.

Education

https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/SF0178