SF0126

Establishes a kindergarten through grade 8 public lab school operated jointly by the University of Wyoming and the resident school district to serve as a teacher education institution and model for best teaching practices.

• Creates a K-8 public lab school located on the University of Wyoming's main campus as an independent public school within the resident school district, designed to promote developmentally appropriate instruction, serve as a teacher education site for pre-service teachers, and identify best teaching practices for statewide use. (W.S. 21-17-501, Sec. 1)
• Establishes a seven-member voting governing board plus one ex-officio nonvoting member (the school principal who serves as chair), comprising representatives from the resident school district board, district superintendent, University of Wyoming dean of education, superintendent of public instruction, a teacher from the school, a parent of a school student, and one member appointed by the dean. (W.S. 21-17-502(a))
• Authorizes the governing board to negotiate and contract with the resident school district, University of Wyoming, or third parties for use of facilities, operation, maintenance, and services, with services from the district or university provided at incremental cost. (W.S. 21-17-502(c))
• Grants the governing board responsibility for school operations including budget preparation, contracting for services and personnel, and determining educational placements of University of Wyoming students including student teachers. (W.S. 21-17-502(e), W.S. 21-17-502(f))
• Requires the governing board to submit annual reports to the joint education interim committee by September 1 each year, including student achievement data, enrollment, University of Wyoming college of education engagement, impact on teaching programs, and proposed statutory modifications. (W.S. 21-17-502(g))
• Allows the school to operate free from specified school district policies and state regulations, with the governing board authorized to waive resident district requirements and the state board able to waive state statutory requirements or rules, except those relating to assessments and standards. (W.S. 21-17-503(b))
• Requires the school to comply with state uniform educational program standards, state content and performance standards, statewide assessment requirements, civil rights, health and safety requirements, public records and public meeting requirements, and privacy laws applicable to public schools.