Megan Degenfelder State Superintendent of Public Instruction | Wyoming Department of Education
Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder has announced a new statewide Language and Literacy Initiative. The initiative brings together several organizations and agencies, including the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE), the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Education Committee, the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB), the University of Wyoming (UW) College of Education, UW Literacy Research Center and Clinic (LRCC), UW Division of Communication Disorders-Speech Language Pathology, UW Early Childhood Education, WYO Right to Read, the John P. Ellbogen Foundation, and Cox Campus.
“This is not just a one-time collaboration; this is an unprecedented coalition of state education leaders and parents united around ensuring that every kid in Wyoming can read at grade level,” said Degenfelder. “Literacy is the gateway to learning-we have all the players at the table to support our local schools in ensuring our students get the early interventions necessary to open that gateway.”
The initial phase includes structured literacy professional development for educators across Wyoming through a partnership with Cox Campus. The University of Wyoming will offer opportunities in preservice, in-service, and graduate educator preparation and professional learning. A new Dyslexia Specialist Program will be introduced by UW LRCC in partnership with the International Dyslexia Association to enhance educator pathways for supporting students with dyslexia.
The PTSB is adopting the International Dyslexia Association’s Knowledge and Practice Standards into its review process and will create a Structured Literacy Certificate pathway for educators. The John P. Ellbogen Foundation has provided a $16,500 grant to launch the Ellbogen Language and Literacy Fellowship, which will allow up to 100 educators in Wyoming to earn national certification through the Knowledge and Practice Examination for Effective Reading Instruction (KPEERI).
“Literacy is the foundation of all learning. It gives every child access to information, opportunity, and power. Ensuring that all Wyoming students can read and write successfully requires a true coalition of educators, policymakers, and communities working together,” said Dr. Jenna Shim, John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean at UW College of Education. “In the College of Education, we are proud to stand alongside all our important partners who share our commitment to advancing literacy for every Wyoming child.”
Brendan O’Connor, Executive Director of PTSB stated: “The PTSB has created a Structured Literacy Certificate endorsement to recognize educators who have completed the structured literacy professional development, which shows they have the knowledge and skills to help all students improve their literacy proficiency. The PTSB has also created a Dyslexia Specialist endorsement for those who complete the UW Dyslexia program, which will provide more in-depth diagnostic support for students who have dyslexia and other reading difficulties beyond what the structured literacy professional development is able to provide. The PTSB is happy to once again partner with the WDE and the UW College of Education to provide quality instruction to the students of Wyoming.”
On September 26, 2025, WDE announced it had received a $24.4 million federal grant aimed at improving literacy instruction throughout Wyoming schools. The department plans to begin distributing these funds through a competitive grant process starting January 2026.
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