Wyoming Education Advisory Group Announces Listening Sessions

Governor Mark Gordon’s K-12 education advisory group, the Reimagining and Innovating Delivery of Education (RIDE) Advisory Group, announced a series of community listening sessions taking input from parents and stakeholders on the state’s educational system.

The group, announced in May 2021, has a goal of developing education in Wyoming and has made up nine volunteers: State Representatives Evan Simpson, State Senator RJ Kost, John Masters, Craig Dougherty, David Northrup, Jill Bramlet, Fred. von Ahrens, Brian Worthen, Nicole Novotny, and Thea True Wells.

According to a press release by Gordon in January, an online public survey was conducted this year over 7,000 responses and results will be released sometime in May, with upcoming listening sessions giving people another chance to offer input.

Since being announced, it does not appear that the RIDE group has done anything other than the survey.

According to a report by WalletHub, Wyoming ranks 27th overall, and 22nd when it comes to educational attainment, which is based on factors like how many people over 25 have at least a high school diploma or a graduate or professional degree.

In the same report, Wyoming ranks 37th when it comes to quality education, which is based on things like the gender gap in educational attainment, the presence of free community colleges, and NAEP math and reading test scores.

Colorado meanswhile ranks fourth overall, second for educational attainment, and 32nd for quality education, Utah ranks 11th overall, 11th for educational attainment, and 15th for quality education, while Idaho ranks 36th overall, 32nd for educational attainment, and 44th. for the Quality of Education.

Gordon said:

“My advisory group looks forward to hearing from firsthand parents and community members, and getting their thoughts about how we can better prepare our students for a competitive world in a changing world.”

The events, including their dates and locations, are:

• June 14-15 in Afton at the Lincoln County School District Administration Building
• June 15-16 in Holiday Inn at Rock Springs
• June 21-22 at Powell at Northwest Community College
• June 22-23 in Riverton at a yet to be decided location
• July 19-20 in Gillette at Gillette College +
• July 20-21 in Casper at a yet to be decided location
• July 26-27 at Cheyenne at the Wyoming Capitol
• July 27 virtual