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Wyoming Education officials outline literacy push, Native education standards and district supports
Summary
Wyoming Department of Education officials told the committee the state won a federal literacy grant and is implementing a statewide literacy focus tied to new standards; they stressed support for districts, a Native American Education Cabinet and an essential-understandings framework for teachers.
Wyoming Department of Education officials told the Select Committee on Tribal Relations on June 15 that the department is prioritizing literacy and Native‑centered curriculum support for tribal students across the state.
Nish Goicolea, the department’s chief policy officer, said the department secured a federal literacy grant that will align with literacy legislation taking effect July 1 and support district implementation. “When our kids can read, they can do a lot better in all subjects and so we anticipate to see a lot of growth there,” Goicolea said.
Rob Black, the department’s Native American liaison, described work by the Native American Education Cabinet — a nine‑member group that has drafted an “essential understandings” framework about Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho history and culture for teacher use. He said the cabinet and the department will push for classroom resources and peer review visits to help districts implement Indian Ed for All principles.
Committee members pressed the department on how improvement is measured, whether students are interviewed during site visits and how the state will help districts with resource and curriculum gaps. Department officials said evaluations combine instruction, leadership, assessment and supports; they noted some accountability data will be delayed this year because of assessment vendor changes.
Why it matters: State-level grants, standards and technical support shape what districts can deliver locally. Committee members and tribal representatives said they want the department to provide not only guidance but concrete, adoptable curricula and support for districts that lack ready access to reservation resources.
Next steps: The department plans continued peer reviews, school visits and distribution of the essential understandings framework this fall; districts asked for ongoing collaboration and clarity as emergency rules for new literacy legislation are finalized.
