State Board of Education approves Wyoming’s Perkins V Plan for Career and Technical Education

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming State Board of Education (SBE) approved Wyoming’s Perkins V Plan for Career and Technical Education (CTE) at its virtual meeting on March 26.

The Board first assembled as the State Board of Vocational Education to hear updates to the plan, based on public comment gathered over the last few months. The board approved the plan requesting that, if possible, the requirement that a district’s CTE program must have a co-curricular or extra curricular affiliation with a Career and Technical Student Organization, be made optional based on federal guidance, as some districts have few individuals interested or available to run these programs.

Additionally, the board requested the reduction of externship and professional development hours a CTE teacher must have to remain current on industry standards, from 100 to 75 across a five-year period. This would mean that CTE teachers would have the same professional development requirements as all other teachers. Lastly, the board requested that the plan clarify the “Hardship Exemption” process, which could exempt some CTE teachers from the externship and professional development requirements.

“The state board values the importance of having robust CTE programs for our students and state,” said SBE Chair Ryan Fuhrman. “We are appreciative of all of the work that went into making this plan and are eager to see its impact on CTE.”

The SBE acted to establish a business relations committee to build a bridge with Wyoming’s business and industry sector to better understand the sector’s needs, and also approved current alternative schedule requests.

In a last action, the board voted to offer the coordinator board position to Diana Clapp, who currently serves as superintendent for Fremont County School District #6.

The next board meeting is scheduled for April 23-24, 2020. For more information about the SBE and its mission, visit https://wyboardofeducation.org and follow the SBE on Twitter at @WYStateBoardEd.

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Media Contact:
Dr. Thomas Sachse
(307) 752-1900
tom.sachse@wyo.gov