62nd WYOMING LEGISLATURE

PROPOSED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2014 INTERIM

JOINT EDUCATION INTERIM COMMITTEE

Standard Budget:     $37,500.00

Priority #: 1     Review Organizational Structure of Education Administration.

The Committee will study and present to the Management Council recommendations for a legislative response to issues arising from litigation involving 2013 SF0104, including any recommendation regarding the need for a special session.  The Committee shall provide in its rules that any recommendation under this topic shall require a majority vote of both the Senate members and the House members of the Committee.  The Committee shall provide to the Management Council alternative draft bills including a bill implementing state education duties prior to enactment of 2013 SF 0104.  The Committee's goal shall be to provide the alternatives prior to April 30, 2014. [Study added by Management Council]

Priority #: 2     Review of duties and processes of the State Board of Education.

The Committee will review and study the duties delegated to and process of the State Board of Education, including graduation requirements, state and district assessment systems, standard setting and the possible inclusion of financial literacy in the state standards.

Priority #: 3     Post-secondary education.

The Committee will receive reports from the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Community Colleges as required by 2014 Wyo. Sess. Laws, House Enrolled Act 0041, Section 067.  Related to this work, the Committee will study college remediation rates, the transfer of credits from community colleges to the University, the possibility of tuition reduction for high school graduates from neighboring states in attending the University, University and community college enrollment growth and the estimated cost for reconstruction of the dorm facilities on the campus of the University. [Modified by Management Council]

Priority #: 4     School safety and security.

The Committee will continue to study school safety and security.  Related to this work, the Committee will receive reports required by 2014 Wyo. Sess. Laws, House Enrolled Act 0041, Section 336 on crisis management plans. The study will include consideration of school facilities implications and may require a joint meeting with the Select Committee on School Facilities.

Priority #: 5     Education data security.

The Committee will receive reports on education data and implementation of security measures surrounding the collection, access and dissemination of education information and data from the Department of Education and the Department of Enterprise Technology Services.

Priority #: 6     early childhood education.

The Committee will receive reports required by 2014 Wyo. Sess. Laws, House Enrolled Act 0041, Section 335 related to early childhood and the grant program to be administered by the Department of Family Services.

Priority #: 7     Energy literacy in the classroom.

The Committee will receive reports regarding implementation of energy literacy in  classrooms in accordance with report recommendations as received by the Committee in December of 2013.

Priority #: 8     Alternative learning environments.

The Committee will receive reports and recommendations on distance education, on-line learning and alternative learning environments.  Recommendations will include improvement of the system as currently administered.

Priority #: 9     Coordination with the Select Committee on Education Accountability.

The Committee requests Council authorize the use of funds to allow members of the Joint Education Committee to attend meetings of the Select Committee on Statewide Education Accountability during the 2014 interim.