Wyo. Code R. 206-0002-6
General Agency, Board or Commission Rules
Chapter 6: School Accreditation
Effective Date: 03/01/1993 to 05/09/2001
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 206.0002.6.03011993
Section 1. Authority. These rules and regulations are promulgated pursuant to the Wyoming Education Code of 1969 (as amended)(W.S. 21-2-304 (a)(i)).
Section 2. Applicability. These rules and regulations pertain to the evaluation and accreditation of public schools (K-12). With these rules and regulations, it is the intention of this agency to establish minimum standards with which public schools (K-12) must comply.
Section 3. Promulgation, Amendment, or Repeal of Rules. Any amendments to these rules shall become effective as provided by the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act. (W.S. 16-3-101 through 16-3-115).
Section 4. Definitions.
(a) Accreditation. A process by which each school district and each school within the district assesses itself and is monitored by the state in order to identify strengths, plan and implement improvement, assure legal compliance and assure the public that children are learning in accordance with locally determined performance standards.
(b) At-Risk Students. School age individuals who are likely to experience economic, social, and academic failure because of social or family conditions or at-risk behavior.
(c) Common Core of Knowledge. Areas of knowledge each student is expected to acquire at levels established by the district.
(d) Common Core of Skills. Skills each student is expected to demonstrate at levels established by the district.
(e) Community Involvement. The participation by parents, students and others within the community in setting and helping the school staff implement district performance outcomes.
(f) Compliance. Documenting that the district adheres to applicable statutes and regulations.
(g) Guidance Services. Services which include the following major functions:
(i) Counseling individual and small groups of students. Diagnostic testing results along with other pertinent information may be used as aids in the counseling process.
(ii) Consultation with school staff and with parents about the general welfare of students as individuals in the classroom and in the total school environment.
(iii) Coordination of guidance services within, between, and among schools, between school and community, and between school and referral agencies in the community.
(iv) Staff-Development for building or district staff to help them understand student behavior and to learn intervention strategies which will assist students to practice self-fulfilling behavior.
(h) Health Services. An organized program provided by qualified personnel to identify potential and existing health problems among students.
(i) Media Services. An organized program to provide services which include all print and non-print resource materials which aid in the teaching-learning process.
(j) Student Performance Standard. The statement of student learning expectations at both school and school district levels against which results are measured.
(k) Parent Involvement. The participation by parents in helping to set student performance standards and to implement goals.
(l) Program. Any or all of the district-sponsored or district-supported educational opportunities for students, either within or beyond the school day.
(m) Public School. An entity created by a local district board which provides education free of charge to students ages 5 to 21.
(n) Public School District. A governmental subdivision whose function is to provide for the education of persons in grades 1-12 (or as otherwise legally authorized) in a geographic area defined by the Wyoming State Committee on School District Organization.
(o) Staff Development. A process involving evaluation, identification of needs, and planned activities for individuals, schools and the entire district designed to improve those elements of professional knowledge and skills that affect student learning.
Section 5. Wyoming Statutes. All public school districts, and the schools and personnel within those districts, must comply with the applicable statutes of the State of Wyoming.
Section 6. Wyoming State Board of Education Policies and Regulations. All public school districts, and the schools and personnel within those districts, must comply with applicable state board policies and regulations.
Section 7. Common Core of Knowledge. All public school students shall meet the student performance standards at the level set by the school and district in the following areas of knowledge:
(a) Language Arts;
(d) Science; (e) Fine Arts and Performing Arts; (f) Physical Education; (g) Health and Safety; (h) Humanities; (i) Career Options; (j) Foreign Cultures Including Language; (k) Applied Technology.
Section 8. Common Core of Skills. All public school students shall meet student performance standards at the level set by the school and district in the following skills:
(a) Problem Solving; (b) Interpersonal Communications; (c) Keyboarding and Computer Applications; (d) Critical Thinking; (e) Creativity; (f) Life Skills, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training.
Section 9. District Performance Standards.
(a) The district shall involve parents, community, and professional staff in developing student performance standards in the common core of knowledge and skills and in implementing programs which will improve student results.
(b) The district shall address student performance standards in an officially adopted planning process reinforced by board of education policies. This process must show, and its implementation demonstrate, how student performance standards have affected planning for facilities and annual budget priorities.
(c) The district shall have a board-approved process in which student performance results are identified, monitored, and reported. The process shall include an annual report card disseminated widely to patrons of the district.
(d) The district shall demonstrate that staff development relates to student performance.
(e) The administration shall monitor building operations to assure all legal requirements, federal, state, and local, are met in each school.
Section 10. School Performance Standards.
(a) Each school shall adopt district student performance standards and site-specific student performance standards.
(b) Each school shall have staff development plan based upon district and school student performance goals.
(c) Each school shall have procedures for involving affected personnel in decision-making.
(d) Each school shall have planned strategies and procedures to measure student performance.
(e) Each school shall adopt procedures for changing strategies on the basis of the degree of success in accomplishing adopted student performance goals. Particular attention will be given to addressing needs of gender, ethnic, or socio-economic group for which results are below either school or district performance levels.
(f) Each school shall involve parents, and students when appropriate, in processes leading to improved student results.
(g) Each school shall adopt a procedure for assessing school climate.
Section 11. At-Risk Students. The district shall have policies and procedures for every school in the district to identify and intervene with at-risk students. In addition, all schools shall provide instruction as appropriate through the school curriculum directed at the prevention of at-risk behavior.
Section 12. Graduation Requirements.
(a) A student shall master the student performance standards within the common cores of knowledge and skills at the levels set by the district and the schools, including alternative schools.
Section 13. Services. All districts shall provide the following support services for students:
(a) Health Services;
(b) Media Services;
(c) Guidance Services.
Section 14. Verification. All public school districts and the schools and personnel within those districts shall provide verification of compliance with these rules and regulations to the Wyoming State Board of Education annually.
Section 15. Accreditation Status. All public school districts and schools within those districts, shall be granted one of the following accreditation levels by the State Board of Education on an annual basis:
(a) Full Accreditation. The local district and/or the schools within it have met the state accreditation standards in a fully satisfactory manner.
(b) Conditional Accreditation. The local district and/or the schools within it have met the state accreditation standards in less than a fully satisfactory manner.
(c) Non-Accreditation. The local district and/or the schools within it have not met the state accreditation standards. The State Board may attach penalties on an individual basis.
(d) Exemption. The State Board of Education may exempt a school or district, upon presentation of a written plan, from any state policy or regulation. A time-line must be specified in the district’s plan.