The Wyoming Educational Bankruptcy Act establishes a legal framework for declaring a school district as "educationally bankrupt" based on specific performance criteria. Effective May 1, 2027, the state superintendent of public instruction or parents and guardians, with sufficient support, can petition the district court to determine if a school district meets the criteria for educational bankruptcy. These criteria include a significant percentage of students scoring below basic levels on statewide assessments in English language arts and mathematics. The act also outlines the responsibilities of the state superintendent, the district court, and the appointed educational bankruptcy trustees, including the authority to manage the school district and make necessary changes to improve student performance.

Additionally, the act modifies existing laws related to teacher certification, allowing for the revocation or suspension of certification for fraudulent practices related to statewide assessments. It also sets a limit on the number of school districts that can be declared educationally bankrupt at any one time, ensuring that no more than six districts can be in this status statewide, with a maximum of three districts per year. The act aims to provide a structured approach to address underperforming school districts while ensuring accountability and oversight through the involvement of various educational authorities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-2-304, 21-2-802