The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) will be partnering with superintendents and district leadership through the 2026–27 Annual Accreditation Evidence process to support district alignment with the State Board of Education’s Chapter 3, Wyoming Graduation Standards and Requirements.
To reduce duplicative reporting and use the existing accreditation process, districts will submit their revised high school graduation policy through the Annual Accreditation Evidence collection. The WDE will review district policies, communicate directly with districts regarding any areas requiring clarification or revision, and support the State Board of Education (SBE) review and consultation responsibilities under Chapter 3.
- Submission Timeline: Districts will submit graduation policies through the WDE Annual Accreditation Evidence process by November 1, 2026. Recognizing the transition to the new requirements, the WDE will accept Chapter 3 graduation policy submissions through November 14, 2026.
- Policy Submission: Districts will submit the revised high school graduation policy establishing diploma requirements. To help districts meet the November 1 deadline, districts can submit proposed draft policies for review before local board approval. Engaging in the review and consultation process before final board adoption ensures alignment with Chapter 3 standards. If a district submits an already approved policy and review identifies non-compliance issues, the policy must go back through the local board approval process to adopt necessary revisions.
- Review and Consultation Timeline: Chapter 3 requires each district to submit a revised policy to the SBE, through the WDE, for review and consultation. Within 120 days of receipt, the SBE must identify any areas where the district does not comply with state-established requirements and consult with the district about those findings. The WDE will serve as the primary point of contact for districts during this process and will communicate directly with district leadership regarding any areas requiring clarification, revision, or additional alignment.
- Local Board Responsibility: Local boards of trustees retain responsibility for establishing and approving district graduation policies consistent with state law and SBE rules. Completing the WDE review and consultation process during the accreditation review, including addressing any identified non-compliance findings, will ensure full alignment with Chapter 3.
- Annual Accreditation Action: The results of the Chapter 3 review and consultation process will be incorporated into the WDE annual accreditation review. District compliance with Chapter 3 will therefore be reflected, as appropriate, in the accreditation recommendations presented to the SBE for its annual accreditation action.
- Implementation Timeline: Chapter 3 applies beginning with students entering ninth grade in the 2027–28 school year. The 2026–27 school year gives districts time to align policies and prepare for implementation before the requirements apply to that cohort.
- Future Policy Changes: After initial implementation, any modification to a district high school diploma requirement, including the revised requirements, must be included in the district annual November 1 report as required by Chapter 3.
By incorporating the Chapter 3 review into the existing Annual Accreditation Evidence process, the WDE intends to provide districts with a coordinated and manageable transition while minimizing duplicative reporting. The WDE will work directly with districts throughout the review and consultation process and will keep the SBE informed through the annual accreditation process.
For more information, contact Chelsie Oaks, Accreditation and Support Supervisor, at chelsie.oaks@wyo.gov or 307-777-8676.
