RIDE Advisory Group and State Board of Education Meet to Discuss the RIDE Initiative and the Profile of a Graduate

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon’s Reimagining and Innovating the Delivery of Education (RIDE) Advisory Group and the Wyoming State Board of Education (SBE) discussed the findings from the public input gathered by the RIDE and Profile of a Graduate initiatives at a joint meeting last week. The RIDE Advisory Group was established with a goal to study and develop recommendations for elevating Wyoming’s primary and secondary education system to a position of national leadership.

The SBE has finalized the Profile of a Graduate and is working on identifying graduation standards. Extensive public input was collected to inform each of the initiatives, and several common themes emerged from the separate input provided by Wyoming stakeholders. The RIDE Advisory Group and the SBE discussed input regarding the need for local flexibility and relief from the pressures of excessive state standards and testing. Discussion also included current flexibilities within statute to support innovation, such as competency, work, and community based learning opportunities.

In honoring Wyoming voices, the SBE took action on a resolution to audit the current state standards as a means to focus on essential knowledge and skills and create time for schools and communities to provide more opportunities that promote the application of knowledge and authentic learning experiences for students. The board also approved a request to establish a Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) from Sheridan College and an alternative school calendar request from the newly formed Prairie View Charter School.