CASPER, Wyo. — The Wyoming State Board of Education and Gov. Mark Gordon’s Reimagining and Innovating the Delivery of Education, or RIDE, Advisory Group held a joint meeting last week to discuss public feedback the two groups have been gathering in regards to how to improve Wyoming’s education.
The meeting included discussion surrounding calls for local flexibility and relief from excessive state standards and testing, a Thursday press release from Gordon’s office said.
“If we want to expand on opportunities for student learning inside and outside the classroom, teachers need time to innovate,” State Board of Education Chair Ryan Fuhrman said in the press release.
Other feedback the RIDE Advisory Group and State Board of Education have heard includes a desire for more opportunities for students to learn at their own pace and an expansion of options preparing kids for career and life, the press release said.
“The RIDE heard about the need to increase parent involvement and build stronger relationships between schools and communities,” the press release added.
The public feedback provided to the RIDE Advisory Group was gathered as the group prepares to give recommendations to the governor and the legislature on how to improve Wyoming primary and secondary education systems.
The State Board of Education gathered input as part of its efforts to develop a “Profile of a Graduate.” The Profile of a Graduate work is complete and the SBE is working on identifying graduation standards, the press release said.
“The profile work showcased many examples of excellence across the state,” Fuhrman said. “The board wants to make certain schools have the opportunity to grow these types of student opportunities without unintended or unnecessary barriers created by state policies.”
During its meeting last week, the State Board of Education approved a request to establish a Board of Cooperative Education Services, also known as BOCES, from Sheridan College, the press release said. The SBE also approved an alternative school calendar request from the newly formed Prairie View Charter School.
