The bill modifies the duties of the state board of education in Wyoming by adding a new responsibility to publish uniform student content and performance standards for the common core of knowledge and skills. This new duty, specified in the amended W.S. 21-2-304(a)(viii), requires the state board to ensure that school districts can identify all standards across various content areas by grade level. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive study by the state superintendent of public instruction, in collaboration with the state board and local school districts, to evaluate the common core standards and their implications for student preparedness for higher education and the job market.

Furthermore, the bill outlines a timeline for reporting the findings of this study, with a deadline of August 1, 2023, for the state superintendent to present recommendations to the joint education interim committee. Based on these findings, the committee will report necessary legislation to the legislature for consideration during the 2024 budget session. The state board is also required to adopt uniform graduation standards by January 1, 2024. To support these initiatives, the bill appropriates $72,000 from the public school foundation program account to the department of education for the completion of the study and report.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-2-304