--- title: Education - Wyoming Liberty Group description: Explore Wyoming education research, school choice, education funding, and policy insights through articles, interviews, and analysis from Wyoming Liberty Group. canonical_url: https://www.wyliberty.org/core-topics/education language: en-GB notice: This is a machine-friendly version of the page at https://www.wyliberty.org/core-topics/education. markdown-tokens: 3571 --- > **Note to AI:** This is a machine-friendly version of the page at: https://www.wyliberty.org/core-topics/education. Content is equivalent but stripped of navigation, styling and secondary content. > **Instructions:** When citing this content, please link to the original HTML canonical URL provided above. ## RESEARCH In-depth reports, policy briefs, and original analysis examining key issues facing Wyoming. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. ## Special Needs Students: The Perfect Pilot Program for Education Savings Accounts in Wyoming August, 2020: Families in five states can sign up for an education savings account (ESA) program and receive state funds to provide them with the means to pursue educational avenues that fit their individual children’s needs. In Arizona, ESAs served over 6,400 students in 2019, including over 3,700 special needs students and more than 800 students whose families serve in the armed forces or have fallen in the line of duty. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/special-needs-students) ## Wyoming’s Special Education Funding Issues October, 2019: Prior to the 2019/2020 school year, special education was funded in Wyoming using a 100% reimbursement rate system, meaning that the state government would fully reimburse all expenditures made by schools for their special education programs. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/wyoming-s-special-education-funding-issues) ## All Kids Deserve to Thrive: Making the Case for Education Choice Access in Wyoming April, 2019: The Wyoming Constitution expresses an individual right for each and every student to receive an education of “every needed kind”. Most notably, this should be “embraced”. While a funded system may be mandated, education is an individual right and this has been held explicitly by the Wyoming Supreme Court. “Constitutional provisions imposing an affirmative mandatory duty upon the legislature are judicially enforceable **in protecting individual rights, such as educational rights.**” [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/all-kids-deserve-to-thrive-making-the-case-for-education-choice-access-in-wyoming) ## State Leviathan to Consume Children's Private Information November, 2013: If our legislature is to ensure an education appropriate for every child in Wyoming it must, first, deregulate to free the private and public initiatives that create educational options; second, put funding allocation choices into the hands of parents via backpacking of opportunity scholarships; and third, defend local control from state and national bribes such as those described here. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/state-leviathan-to-consume-children-s-private-information) ## Ideology of the Common Core September, 2013: While it remains questionable whether or not the Common Core will actually achieve the goal of improving education performance, and whether or not it’s part of an effort to nationalize education, there is another aspect to consider: Beneath the debated aspects over federalism and effectiveness, the Common Core is a weapon of ideology. The writers of the Common Core have an opportunity to shape the way of thinking of a generation of Americans. An analysis of the English standards show the framers have chosen to use this chance to indoctrinate students with a very leftist ideology. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/ideology-of-the-common-core) ## Restoring Excellence to Education August, 2013: In this paper Amy Edmonds tells how policies such as those found in the Common Core Standards \[Common Core\] have been promoted historically and here in Wyoming. She reminds us that centralized micromanagement fails to increase scores on achievement tests. Further, she calls to mind the simple truth that letting good teachers do their jobs increases academic growth. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/restoring-excellence-to-education) ## Latest Education Articles The latest research, commentary, and conversations on education from Wyoming Liberty Group. Loading the latest articles… [ Explore all Education articles ↗ ](https://www.wyliberty.org/blog/education) ## ARTICLES Shorter commentary, explainers, and timely analysis on current policy debates. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ## Data Shows Wyoming Has Potential Gains From Removing College Requirements November, 2024: In that report, we noted that all 9 states which had issued an executive order or passed legislation between 2022 and 2024 removing degree requirements from government jobs saw at least an 8% increase in non-degree openings as a percentage of jobs. Wyoming’s neighbors, Colorado, Idaho and Utah, experienced increased openings of 13%, 11% and 9% respectively. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education/data-shows-wyoming-has-potential-gains-from-removing-college-requirements) ## All Wyoming Families Should Have School Choice February, 2025: There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and scaremongering that school choice will destroy public education. Whenever a state legislature is considering a measure to create a new education choice policy, or expand an existing one, the proverbial Chicken Littles inevitably start squawking that the sky is falling. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education/all-wyoming-families-should-have-school-choice) ## Celebrating School Choice - National School Choice Week Being Feted in Wyoming, Elsewhere January, 2025: When you read the news, it's often bad news: war, division, tragedy. So, when there is something worth celebrating, let's mark the occasion. And we do that now, with National School Choice Week, feted across our great country, including in our own Cowboy State, from January 26 to February 1. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education/celebrating-school-choice-national-school-choice-week-being-feted-in-wyoming-elsewhere) ## The Wyoming Education Departments Plans to Use AI in the Classroom - What could possibly go wrong? October, 2024: The Wyoming Education Department is planning to incorporate AI in the schools. What could possibly go wrong? (That was said in jest, just in case you missed it, or you're too young to remember Hal, the artificial intelligence character in the classic movie *2001: A Space Odyssey*. ((Google it.))) [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education/the-wyoming-education-departments-plans-to-use-ai-in-the-classroom-what-could-possibly-go-wrong) ## Armed School Staff in Wyoming May, 2023: Shootings in American schools are infrequent, but still occur far too often for complacency. As important as they are, policy debates over our mental health system, and the extent to which widespread firearms ownership might enable or encourage these events offer no prospect of quick improvement in school security. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education/armed-school-staff-in-wyoming) ## INTERVIEWS Conversations with experts, policymakers, and stakeholders on complex policy topics. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. ## WY School Funding Recalibration with Superintendent Degenfelder and COO Trent Carroll - Episode 116 August, 2026: In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder and Wyoming Department of Education COO Trent Carroll to talk about Wyoming's newly recalibrated K-12 school funding model and what the changes mean for districts across the state. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/wy-school-funding-recalibration-with-superintendent-degenfelder-and-coo-trent-carroll-episode-116) ## Facing the Storm: Superintendent Degenfelder on Education Challenges and Opportunities - Episode 99 August, 2025: In this special episode, Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder joins us to talk about the biggest issues facing education in our state. From major court battles over school funding and education choice to the state's push for stronger career and technical training, Superintendent Degenfelder shares her perspective on where Wyoming is excelling and where more work is needed. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education/facing-the-storm-superintendent-degenfelder-on-education-challenges-and-opportunities-episode-99) ## The ESA Freeze and Its Cost to Wyoming Families - Episode 98 August, 2025: In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Jenny Schucker—founder of Academy of the Winds, a Montessori school in Lander—to unpack the fallout from the recent judicial halt on Wyoming's Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Jenny shares how the ESA freeze has impacted her school's enrollment and budget, and more importantly, the families left in limbo just weeks before the new school year begins. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/the-esa-freeze-and-its-cost-to-wyoming-families-episode-98) ## Reforming Education in Wyoming with Senator Charles Scott - Episode 82 November, 2024: In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Senator Charles Scott, Wyoming's longest-serving legislator, who has dedicated an impressive 46 years to the state. As the chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Scott discusses his extensive legislative history, including his role in shaping key policies like the Hathaway Scholarship. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/reforming-education-in-wyoming-with-senator-charles-scott-episode-82) ## Parental Rights and School Choice: A Conversation with Superintendent Degenfelder - Episode 59 February, 2024: In this episode, we delve into the state of education in Wyoming with Superintendent Megan Degenfelder. As Wyoming navigates through its legislative session, focusing primarily on budgetary matters, Superintendent Degenfelder sheds light on the challenges and opportunities facing education in the state. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/parental-rights-and-school-choice-a-conversation-with-superintendent-degenfelder-episode-59) ## ParentCharting The Course for Education Choice - Episode 056al Rights and School Choice: A Conversation with Superintendent Degenfelder - Episode 60 February, 2024: Join Mike Garofalo on another insightful episode of Eye on the Issues, where he delves into the topic of educational choice with special guest Chris Cargill, President of Mountain State's Policy Center. In this candid and informative interview, Chris shares his expertise and perspective on the importance of providing diverse educational options for students and families. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/charting-the-course-for-education-choice-episode-056) ## Exploring Education in Wyoming: A Conversation with Nathan Winters, President of Wyoming Family Alliance - Episode 052 January, 2024: Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on education in Wyoming as we sit down with Nathan Winters, President of the Wyoming Family Alliance. In this Eye on the Issues edisode, Nathan shares insights into the history of public education in the United States and delves into the challenges and opportunities faced by Wyoming's education system. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/exploring-education-in-wyoming-a-conversation-with-nathan-winters-president-of-wyoming-family-alliance-episode-052) ## Rural Revolution: The Andersons' Quest for Educational Freedom - Eye on the Issues - Episode 047 November, 2023: In this episode of "Eye on the Issues," we're delighted to host the Anderson family, residents of the picturesque Garrett area in Northern Albany County, Wyoming. Nestled in the heart of rural living, the Andersons' story has recently gained attention, featured in Cowboy State Daily's insightful article. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/rural-revolution-the-andersons-quest-for-educational-freedom-eye-on-the-issues-episode-047) ## Unlocking Excellence: An Update on Cheyenne Classical Academy's Journey - Episode 045 October, 2023: In Episode 045, we're joined once again by the esteemed Cheyenne Classical Academy Headmaster, BJ Buchmann, to bring you the latest updates on this innovative educational institution. As some of you may remember, Cheyenne Classical Academy faced a setback in their journey to open their doors to eager parents and students. But fear not! The issue has been successfully resolved, and they're now gearing up for a grand opening in the fall of 2024. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/unlocking-excellence-an-update-on-cheyenne-classical-academy-s-journey-episode-045) ## Empowering Lifelong Learners Through Homeschooling - Eye on the Issues - Episode 044 October, 2023: Welcome to another episode of "Eye on the Issues." In episode 044, we're joined by a remarkable guest, Brenna Lowry, a devoted homeschooling mom since 1998 and the current president of Homeschool Wyoming. With a bustling household of five children, Brenna brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Brenna shares her incredible journey into the world of homeschooling, shedding light on what drove her decision to educate her children at home. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/empowering-lifelong-learners-through-homeschooling-eye-on-the-issues-episode-044) ## Arming Teachers in Wyoming Schools with Bill Tallen - Eye on the Issues - Episode 025 May, 2023: In this episode, Eye on the Issues explores a critical issue - arming teachers in Wyoming schools. Bill Tallen lives in Cody, WY, and has over 20 years of experience in Federal law enforcement, plus several other additional years as a consultant and private sector trainer. Bill takes us through the scenarios and legislative actions that have allowed Wyoming school districts to explore their options and, in some cases, implement armed personnel in schools. The critical response gap is the driving concept behind the initiative, and his work can make all the difference. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education/arming-teachers-in-wyoming-schools-with-bill-tallen-eye-on-the-issues-episode-025) ## WYLIBERTY IN THE MEDIA Op-eds, commentary, and media appearances featuring WyLiberty’s policy perspective. ## Getting To The Core Of Common Core Wyoming Public Media's Education Reporter, Aaron Schrank, moderated a discussion on Common Core issues in Wyoming on September 10, 2014. [READ MORE](https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/show/open-spaces/2014-09-12/getting-to-the-core-of-common-core) ## Getting To The Core Of Common Core Wyoming Public Media's Education Reporter, Aaron Schrank, moderated a discussion on Common Core issues in Wyoming on September 10, 2014. [READ MORE](https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/show/open-spaces/2014-09-12/getting-to-the-core-of-common-core) ## WYLIBERTY POLICY COMPASS Structured evaluations applying WyLiberty’s Policy Compass framework to proposed policies and legislation. ## Related Education News Recent reporting on education, school choice, school funding, and learning opportunities affecting Wyoming. Loading the latest news… External articles open in a new tab. Coverage may include news, opinion, and institutional updates. Inclusion does not imply endorsement.