May 11, 2026
8 am – 5 pm
WYO Sports Ranch, Casper, Wyoming
The First Annual WDE Parent Summit is an opportunity for parents, educators, and community members to come together and learn about how to engage with your local district, understand the different roles between the local district, Wyoming Department of Education, and U.S. Department of Education, and various education topics like school finance, special education, public records laws, and more.
- A Vision for Wyoming’s Students: A plenary session focusing on parental engagement with local districts, workforce preparation, local-level visioning, and the future of K-12 education in Wyoming.
- Standards and Assessment 101: A walk-through of state standards and assessment creation and implementation, detailing how they drive curriculum and instruction and informing parents what to ask of their schools.
- Wyoming House Bill 147: The Impact on K-12: An in-depth discussion of the “Prohibition of institutional discrimination” bill, defining “Institutional discrimination” and “Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion” as stated in the law, and clarifying permissible instruction and programs.
- How School Districts Function: The Board & The Superintendent: A panel discussion explaining the division of authority—the board’s role (policy, finance, hiring) versus the superintendent’s role (day-to-day operations, curriculum, staffing)—and focusing on the best avenues for parental input.
- Transparency in Action: The Wyoming Public Records Act: Training for parents on using the Wyoming Public Records Act to access school district records and policies, including how to file a request and addressing exemptions like FERPA (student privacy).
- Funding Facts: Understanding the School District Budget: A session on Wyoming’s school finance model, covering sources of money (state, local, federal), allocation, and the most effective time to influence budget priorities.
- Special Education 101: A final training for parents navigating students with IEPs/disabilities.
- Connect with fellow parents from every corner of Wyoming.
- Building Your Network: Attending gives you the chance to meet parents outside of your immediate school district, creating a broader community of support for your student.
- Understanding Education: An opportunity to ?
- Granular Topic Breakdowns: Move past the jargon. Our speakers are tasked with “stripping the paint” off complex education laws (like HB 147) and budgets. You won’t just hear about policies; you’ll learn exactly how they land in your child’s classroom and what specific questions you should be asking your local board.
- Agenda: A full day of learning and networking, complete with a provided lunch.
- Networking: A dedicated “Regional Connect” hour to swap stories and strategies with parents from other Wyoming counties.
- Expert Access: Direct Q&A time with WDE staff and legal experts on public records and state law.
- The Parent Advocacy Toolkit: A printed guide featuring “How-To” templates for filing Public Records requests.
- Legislative Cheat Sheet: A plain-English summary of House Bill 147 and what it means for your child’s curriculum.
- The “Who Do I Call?” Directory: A contact map clarifying when to reach out to your local Principal, the District Superintendent, or the WDE.
- IEP Roadmap: A step-by-step checklist for parents navigating the Special Education process.
