Are you considering homeschooling your child in Wyoming? There are many advantages to homeschooling, and there are also some important laws you need to know before you decide to embark on this educational journey. Submitting a curriculum for Wyoming homeschool is one important step that must be taken in order to homeschool legally.
This article will provide an overview of the curriculum requirements for homeschoolers in Wyoming, how to submit a curriculum for approval, and other information that parents should be aware of prior to making the decision to homeschool.
What Are the Requirements for Submitting a Curriculum for Wyoming Homeschool?
Home instruction in Wyoming, otherwise known as homeschooling, is regulated by the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE). Wyoming’s homeschool laws require that all parents who are considering homeschooling as an educational option provide the WDE with a “courses of study and instruction plan” that they plan to use while homeschooling their children. This proposed curriculum must include the courses of study and instruction the parents plan to use during the academic year.
According to the WDE, courses of study should include the subject areas that are generally taught in public schools, such as language arts, math, science, and social studies. Parents must also provide a detailed description of how their curriculum will be organized and how the learning materials/instruction will be implemented.
They also must describe the grading policies and standards of assessment for the courses. Additionally, parents must also include a list of any college-level courses and advanced learning experiences they plan to include in the curriculum. Parents must also describe any tests they plan to use to assess their student’s progress and educational attainment, and they must provide a plan for the progress monitoring of their student’s academic achievement.
For each monitored educational activity, including course assessment and tests, parents must attach a record of the test’s completion or the student’s grade.
How Should a Curriculum be Submitted?
In order to officially register with the WDE, parents must submit their homeschool curriculum in the prescribed format to the WDE. The curriculum must be submitted on the WDE’s website using the online form provided.
The online application must include a response to each of the questions in regards to the curriculum. The WDE also requires that parents provide a signed statement indicating that they understand the requirements for homeschooling in Wyoming. Parents must also provide a copy of their child’s birth certificate and social security card in order to complete the registration process.
Once the completed application is submitted, the WDE will review the application and approve the curriculum within 30 days. Parents must also submit a quarterly report each year, as well as an annual report for their child’s academic progression.
What Are Some Other Important Laws I Should Be Aware Of?
In addition to submitting a curriculum, parents must be aware of other important laws pertaining to homeschooling in Wyoming. All curriculum materials and any additional reading materials used in homeschooling must be written in English, though supplemental materials in other languages can be used.
Additionally, homeschool instruction must be provided in English, except in instances where English is the student’s second language. Parents must notify the WDE within 10 days of any changes to their course of study or instruction plan. Furthermore, all homeschooled students must take an annual assessment either through the WDE or through a nationally-normed standardized test, such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS).
Finally, if a parents wishes to enroll their child in a public school after being homeschooled, they must provide the public school district with their child’s cumulative files and assessments.
Conclusion
Submitting a curriculum for Wyoming homeschool is a vital step that all parents must take before they can legally homeschool their children. Parents must provide a detailed description of the courses of study, instruction plan, grading policies, and other pertinent information to the WDE for approval.
By following these steps, parents can ensure that their child receives a quality education in the comfort of their own home without fear of breaking any laws.