Wyoming committee reviews K–3 literacy law and finds gaps in implementation and monitoring

The Joint Education Committee reviewed Wyoming's K–3 literacy law, hearing a statutory overview from Legislative Service Office staff and implementation updates from the Wyoming Department of Education on screening, individualized reading plans and professional development for kindergarten through third grade.

Tanya Heitrick, operations administrator with the Legislative Service Office, said the memo in committee materials “is intended to provide a summary of the statute that governs this program,” and noted the statute currently requires districts to implement a multi‑tiered, evidence‑based reading assessment and intervention program for all students in K–3. Heitrick said the statute, cited in the session materials as Wyoming Statute 21‑3‑401, has been amended multiple times since its 2001 enactment.

The committee heard that districts must screen students three times a year with a tool approved by the state superintendent and must develop an individualized reading plan for students who do not demonstrate grade‑level competency; an individualized education program under federal IDEA can satisfy that requirement. The statute includes an 85% proficiency goal measured by the statewide summative English language arts assessment; Senator Scott told the committee, “The 85% basically came out of thin air,” saying the number originated in early bill drafting after consulting one district's estimate of students able to learn to read.

Why it matters: committee members and public witnesses said the law's…