Let's hold Legislature to same standards
So while the Republicans in Washington, D.C., led by President Donald Trump, look to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, the Wyoming Republicans, especially those in the House of Representatives appear to be wanting to run the Department of Education and running each school district in the state.
The Joint Education Committee sponsored just four bills this session but Washakie County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees and administrators noted at the Jan. 27 board meeting that there were more than 100 bills in this year’s session that could impact education.
A search of the bills on the Wyoming Legislature website, http://www.wyoleg.gov, has 31 bills just with school in the title, four of those are the Select Committee on School Facilities, one from the Management Council, one from Capital Finance and Investment and one from Appropriations, all the rest are coming from legislators.
Search the word education through the several hundred of bills and 11 bills pop up including two from the Education Committee, the rest are individual bills.
A search for “k-12” brings up two additional bills, both individual legislator bills.
Then there are the bills that do not have school, education, or K-12, in their name and you might not think they would impact education. These would include the bill to repeal gun-free zones; the supplemental budget, the numerous property tax bills and bills that address gender in activities, schools and the definition of a woman.
There is a lot we could discuss here, a lot we have discussed and/or reported on and will continue to do so as the session marches on with adjournment set for mid-March.
One issue I want to draw attention to this week is House Bill 200, regarding “parental rights”, which has been assigned to the Education Committee since Jan. 21.
The bill would, starting in the next school year require full curriculum for each class and grade level available at the start of the school year.
In the bill “‘Curriculum’” means a course of study for uniform student content and performance standards for the common core of knowledge and common core of skills as specified under W.S. 21‑9‑101(b) including instructional, guidance and supplemental materials.”
There are other “rights” described in the bill including districts no mandating that teachers use a student’s preferred pronoun if it does not align with the student’s biological sex, allowing for students to opt out of classes, speakers or presentations, especially those on diversity, equity and inclusion. Those violating anything set forth in the proposed legislation can face disciplinary action including termination.
I asked earlier in the session about a different bill and what issue or problem does this solve? What impact will this have on teachers when you threaten disciplinary action? We all know teachers who go above and beyond, who do more than they are asked and now we are going to require more of them than focusing on teaching our students.
If the goal behind this bill is so that parents have no surprises in the curriculum during the year then should we ask that of our Legislature as well.
How about starting in the 2026 Wyoming Legislative session we require the Legislature to have all bills for the session no later than one month prior to the session starting, including all relevant information and research. All interim work, testimony, minutes and more must be included in the filing of the bill so it is easy for Wyoming citizens to find.
Bills will not be allowed to be introduced after that date so that we the people who elected the Legislature can easily follow what they are trying to do in Cheyenne. We do not like surprises either, especially regarding proposed legislation that is introduced at the last minute in hopes that people are distracted by other things and it can just sneak through. That’s not the way we should govern.
If the legislators want more accountability and transparency in our education then let them show us by leading the way in accountability and transparency.