Background/Footnotes: In 1995, Wyoming adopted a charter school law that, although it set no limit on the number of charters that could be granted, gave local schools the sole authority to grant charters. Charter schools receive only limited legal autonomy and must apply for waivers from state and district regulations and policies.[1]

In the 2000 session, State Senator Mike Massie (D-9th District) introduced the School Choice-Charter School Assistance bill, which would have provided funds for school districts operating choice and charter programs. The bill was not enacted.[2]

In 2001, a pilot voucher program that would have provided 100 students with a $3,500 voucher was introduced as an amendment to the state supplemental budget. The legislation required a comparison of the test scores of 200 students: 100 who received a voucher and 100 who would serve as a public school control group. Legislators would have decided whether to continue the program beyond the pilot on the basis of this comparison. The amendment failed to pass.[3]

Two attempts to open a charter school were made in 2000. In the first attempt, the applicants were turned down; in the second, the petitions for the school were withdrawn. Although these attempts were not successful, they brought legislators' attention to the weakness of the state's charter school statute and prompted them to change the law.[4] In 2001, the legislature amended Wyoming's charter school statute to make it easier to open charter schools. The amended law allows charter school applicants to appeal to the Wyoming State Board of Education if a local school district denies their application; it also guarantees charter schools 95 percent of the state's per-pupil funding for public schools.[5]

In the fall of 2002, Wyoming's first charter school, the Snowy Range Academy, opened as a Core Knowledge School. Initially serving students in grades K-6, the school plans eventually to include grades 7 and 8 as well.

Legislation similar to the proposed 2001 amendment to establish a pilot voucher program was passed by the Senate but was defeated in the House.[6]

In 2003, Senator Kathryn Sessions (D) introduced Senate File 110 to require home-schooled students to take state assessments. If the student failed to score at the proficient level, the parent would have to present a "remediation plan." The bill died in committee.[7]

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