Joint Education Committee Meeting Summary (August 28-29, 2003)

The Committee held its first meeting of the interim in Casper.  The Student Assessment/ Accountability Task Force provided a preliminary report on statewide student assessment and accountability and integration of these programs with federal requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act.  The Department of Education provided Committee members with updates on the special education and vocational education programs and Department efforts implementing requirements of 2003 legislation.  The Department also reported on activities pertaining to Statewide Education Data Systems imposed by 2003 legislation.

University of Wyoming officials commented on educational opportunities provided by both the WICHE and WWAMI programs and issues involved with continued program operation.  The Attorney General’s office presented comments on constitutional proposals introduced during the 2003 session pertaining to local control and to judicial standards set for burden of proof in school finance litigation.  Draft legislation dealing with the latter issue will be submitted for Committee consideration at the Committee’s next meeting on October 9 and 10, 2003 in Gillette.