Mandate: Wyoming does not require students to complete a specified amount of health education, nor does it have specific coursework requirements for high school graduation.

Curriculum Content: The state mandates that districts meet the Wyoming Health Content and Performance Standards (2008). The state does not require schools to follow a specific curriculum framework, nor does it provide a suggested one. The standards specify what a student must master.

State Assessment Requirement: None.

Mandate: Rule 5218, Chapter 31 (2003) requires all public school children in grades 1-8 to be proficient in physical education as mandated by the State Board in the Wyoming Health Education Content and Performance Standards (2008). Proficiency in physical education is also required for graduation from high school.

Exemptions: None specified.

Curriculum Content: The Wyoming Physical Education Content and Performance Standards (2008) sets benchmarks for standards that students must master in the grade spans of K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. While a curriculum framework is provided, specific courses, materials, or instructional methodology are not mandated by the state.

Physical Fitness Assessment: None.

Not specifically required.

The Wyoming Health Content and Performance Standards (2008) mandates health content standards for grades K-12. Standard 3 recommends students in grades 5-12 learn self-management skills such as stress management. Standard 5 recommends students in grades K-12 be taught how to express feelings in a healthy manner.

Character Education: Not specifically required.

Mandate: Wyoming does not require students to complete a specified amount of instruction in HIV, STD, or pregnancy prevention; however, the Wyoming Health Content and Performance Standards (2008) include the prevention and control of disease and family life and sexuality in its seven major strands.

The HIV/AIDS Model Policy for Wyoming Public Schools (1998), which is based on NASBE's Someone at School has AIDS, includes recommendations for HIV prevention education.

Curriculum Content: No state policy.

Parental Approval: No state policy.

Mandate: Wyoming Health Content and Performance Standards (2008) mandate that students demonstrate a developmentally appropriate understanding of the relationship between nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, health behaviors and health risks.

Alcohol: Wyoming does not require students to receive instruction on alcohol use prevention education. However, instruction on alcohol use is mandated in Content Standard 1 of the Wyoming Health Content and Performance Standards (2008) for all elementary, middle, and high school grades. The HIV/AIDS Model Policy for Wyoming Public Schools (1998) also recommends stressing abstinence from alcohol as part of HIV prevention education.

Tobacco: Content Standard 1 of the Wyoming Health Content and Performance Standards (2008) mandates instruction on tobacco use for all elementary, middle, and high school grades.

Drugs: Wyoming does not require students to receive instruction on drug use prevention education. However, instruction on drug use is mandated in Content Standard 1 of the Wyoming Health Content and Performance Standards (2008) for all elementary, middle, and high school grades. The HIV/AIDS Model Policy for Wyoming Public Schools also recommends stressing abstinence from drugs as part of HIV prevention education.

Bullying/Harassment: Not specifically required.

Fighting/Gangs: Standards 3 and 5 of the Wyoming Health Content and Performance Standards (in revision process 2008) mandates students in grades K-12 be taught conflict resolution skills.

Suicide and Other Self-Abuse Prevention: Not specifically required.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in the elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no specific health coursework requirements. For prospective teachers in high school, the state requires a bachelor's degree, with an endorsement in health as specified in Section 9 of Rule 4897, Chapter 7 (2002). The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Rule 5615, Chapter 3 (2004).

Professional Development: Rule 5181, Chapter 15 (2003) requires five semester hours of credit and/or 75 clock hours of professional development for license renewal.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in the elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with 27 hours in the applicable content area. For prospective teachers in high school, the state requires a bachelor's degree, with an endorsement in health as specified in Section 9 of Rule 4897, Chapter 7 (2002). The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Rule 5615, Chapter 3 (2004).

Professional Development: Rule 5181, Chapter 15 (2003) requires five semester hours of credit and/or 75 clock hours of professional development for license renewal.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical educators in the elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with 27 hours in the applicable content area. For prospective teachers in high school, the state requires a bachelor's degree, with an endorsement in physical education as specified in Section 12 of Rule 4897, Chapter 7 (2002). The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Rule 5615, Chapter 3 (2004). 

Professional Development: Rule 5181, Chapter 15 (2003) requires five semester hours of credit and/or 75 clock hours of professional development for license renewal.

Pre-service Requirement: Rule 4898, Chapter 14, Section 2 (1994) requires school nurses to be licensed as a registered professional nurse in order to obtain a School Nurse Permit. Upon receiving a permit, applicants are authorized to provide health service to students and provide instruction under the supervision of a certified teacher. For licensure as a registered professional nurse, a candidate must have completed a state accredited program of registered nursing, possess a bachelor's of science in nursing, and pass a board approved examination according to Rule 4301, Chapter II (2001) and the Nursing Practice Act Statute 33-21-127 (2005). 

Professional Development: None specified. 

Student-to-Nurse Ratio: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: Rule 4560, Chapter 10, Section 4 (2001) requires school counselors to have a teaching certificate and to have completed an advanced program in school guidance counseling, which meets five specific standards plus a practicum or internship in a recognized K-12 setting and two years successful teaching, school social work, school psychology, supervisory, or administrative experience in a recognized K-12 school setting or three years of comparable experience in a human services setting.

Professional Development: Rule 5181 (2003), Chapter 15 requires five semester hours of credit and/or 75 clock hours of professional development for license renewal.

Student-to-Counselor Ratio: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: Rule 3249, Chapter 11, Section 3 (1998) requires school psychologists to have completed an advanced program in school psychology that meets eight specific standards plus a practicum at all levels of the K-12 school setting and one year of full-time supervised internship experience in a recognized K-12 setting. National certification as a school psychologist is also acceptable en lieu of these requirements.

Professional Development: Rule 5181, Chapter 15 (2003) requires five semester hours of credit and/or 75 clock hours of professional development for license renewal.

Student-to-Psychologist Ratio: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: Rule 3249, Chapter 11, Section 4 (1998) requires school social workers to have completed an advanced program in school social work that meets seven specific standards plus a supervised practicum in a recognized K-12 school setting.

Professional Development: Rule 5181, Chapter 15 (2003) requires five semester hours of credit and/or 75 clock hours of professional development for license renewal.

Student-to-Social Worker Ratio: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: Rule 3817, Chapter 8 (1999) requires a teaching certificate as specified under Rule 5615, Chapter 3 (2004), successful completion of a Prevention & Care Athletic Injury class, certification in first aid and CPR, completion of an athletic coaching education sport science course or pass the National High School Athletic Coaches Certification Exam, and either one year of positive supervised coaching experience or completion of a sports techniques and tactics course.

Professional Development: Rule 5181, Chapter 15 (2003) requires five semester hours of credit and/or 75 clock hours of professional development for license renewal. Rule 3817, Chapter 8 also requires renewal of first aid and CPR certification.

Additional Accountability Requirements: None

Additional Content Requirements: None

Guidance Materials: None

Other: None

Food Services: Senate File 70 (2008) mandates that in order to receive supplemental funding, school districts must submit approval of a strategic plan for food service operations

School Breakfast: No state policy

Food Allergies: No state policy.

Farm-to-School: No state policy.

Vending Machines/School Stores: No state policy.

Other Food Sales: No state policy.

School Gardening: No state policy.

Interscholastic Athletics: No state policy.

Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: No state policy requiring or recommending recess.

Recess Before Lunch: No state policy.

Walking/Biking to School: No state policy.

Interscholastic Athletics: No state policy.

Concussion and Sports-Related Head Injury: Code 21-4-703 (2011) prohibits an athletic coach or trainer from allowing a student athlete to participate in a school athletic event on the same day that the athlete (1) exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion or head injury after a coach, trainer, school official or student reports, observers or suspects that they have sustained a concussion or other head injury, or (2) has been diagnosed with a concussion or other head injury. An athletic coach or trainer may not allow a student who has been prohibited from participating to return any sooner than the day after receiving a blow to the body or head, and only after they no longer have symptoms or behavior consistent with a concussion or head injury, and receive a medical release from a licensed health care professional. Each school district must ensure that each athletic coach or trainer participating in school athletic activities receives training in concussions and head injuries.  The state board is required to establish protocols for training athletic coaches and trainers in concussions and head injuries.

Wyoming does not have a specific state policy on maintaining a safe and secure learning nvironment. Section 21-4-306 (1977) allows suspension or expulsion of students on the following grounds: 1)Continued willful disobedience or open defiance of authority/school personnel, 2) willful destruction or defacing of school property, 3)any behavior (which in the judgment of the local board is clearly detrimental to the education, welfare, safety or morals of other pupils”, 4) torturing, tormenting or abusing a pupil or in any way maltreating a pupil with physical violence, 5) possession, use, transfer or carrying a deadly weapon as defined under Statute 6-1-104(a)(iv) on a bus or district property. 

Fighting/Gangs: Statute 21-4-306  states that Torturing, tormenting, or abusing a pupil or in any way maltreating a pupil or a teacher with physical violence" is grounds for suspension or expulsion.

Weapons: Statute 21-4-305 (1977) requires the district superintendent to expel from school for a period of one year any student determined to possess, use, transfer, carry or sell a deadly weapon within any school bus or within the boundaries of real property used by the district primarily for the education of students in grades kindergarten through twelve". Statute 21-4-306  further states that to possess, use, transfer, carry or sell a deadly weapon within any school bus or within the boundaries of real property used by the district primarily for the education of students in grades kindergarten through twelve is grounds for suspension or expulsion.

State Board Policy 7217, (no date available) prohibits visitors from possessing, storing, making, or using a weapon in any setting that is under the control and supervision of the Board for the purpose of school activities approved and authorized by the Board including, but not limited to, property leased, owned, or contracted for by the Board, a school-sponsored event, or in a Board-owned vehicle". Policy 3217 (no date available) applies the same to professional staff members.

Drugs and Alcohol: All 48 Wyoming School districts have specific policies in place prohibiting illegal drug and alcohol use on district property.

Collaboration with Law Enforcement: No state policy.

Bullying/Harassment: Code 21-4-312 (2009) defines harassment, intimidation and bullying "any intentional gesture, any intentional electronic communication or any intentional written, verbal or physical act initiated, occurring or received at school that a reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of: (A) Harming a student physically or emotionally, damaging a student's property or placing a student in reasonable fear of personal harm or property damage; (B) Insulting or demeaning a student or group of students causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school; or (C) Creating an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a student or group of students through sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive behavior." It prohibits intimidation, harassment or bullying at school, or reprisal or retaliation against a victim, witness or person reporting information about an act. The definition of "school" is included in the statute.

Code 21-4-312 (2009) requires the Department of Education to develop a model policy. It also requires local school districts to adopt a policy prohibiting bullying, intimidation or harassment. Requirements of the policy include a definition of bullying, harassment and intimidation, consequences and remedial actions for those committing acts, procedures for reporting and documenting acts, a statement prohibiting reprisal or retaliation, strategies for protecting a victim from further harassment,

Cyberbullying: Code 21-4-312 (2009) includes "intentional electronic communications" in the definition of bullying, harassment and intimidation and prohibits such acts "school," which is further defined in the statute.

Hazing: No state policy addressing elementary or secondary schools.

Response and Management Plans: Rule 4362, Chapter VI, Section 17 (2001) requires school districts to adopt policies and procedures to address crises at both the district and individual school levels. Crisis management plans are to be developed and practiced on a regular basis.

Reporting Incidents of Violence: No state policy.

No state policy.

Rule 3991, Chapter 2, Section 6 (2000) requires the construction of a school bus to be "reasonably dust-proof".

Statute 35-7-375 mandates notification of pesticide use on school/district property.

No state policy.

Vision and Hearing: Rule 4362, Chapter VI (2001) requires the district to provide an organized program that identifies potential and existing health problems through routine hearing and vision screenings performed by qualified personnel.

Chronic Health Conditions: No state policy. 

Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening: No state policy.

Staff Administration: Rule 4362, Chapter VI, Section 17 (2001) requires school districts to provide for the safe handling, storage, and administration of both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Self-Administration of Asthma Medication: Statute 21-4-310 (2007) requires district school boards to allow students to posses and self-administer medication including asthma inhalers required for potentially life-threatening conditions within any school of the district.  The following conditions must be met:(1) A written statement containing parental verification of ability to self-administer and authorization to self-administer as necessary, and (2) Health care provider identification of the medication prescribed or authorized and verification of the appropriateness of possession and self-administration for the student. Potentially life-threatening conditions" includes, but is not limited to, asthma, food allergies and insect bites.

Self-Administration of Anaphylaxis Medication: Statute 21-4-310 (2007) requires district school boards to allow students to posses and self-administer medication including epinephrine pens required for potentially life-threatening conditions within any school of the district.  The following conditions must be met: (1) A written statement containing parental verification of ability to self-administer and authorization to self-administer as necessary, and (2) Health care provider identification of the medication prescribed or authorized and verification of the appropriateness of possession and self-administration for the student.

Psychotropic Medications: No state policy.

Storage and Record-keeping: Rule 4362, Chapter VI, Section 17 requires school districts to provide for the safe handling, storage, and administration of both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Requirement to Provide Services: Rule 4362, Chapter VI, Section 17 (2001) requires school districts to ensure that students have access to guidance services, which provide access to responsive services that address issues and concerns that may affect students' educational, vocational, and career development.

Identification of Students with Mental or Emotional Disorders: Wyoming does not have a specific state policy; however, Administrative Rule 4362, Chapter VI, Section 17 requires school districts to provide procedures for the confidentiality of all health information.

Substance Abuse: No state policy.

Suicide Prevention: No state policy.

HIV, STD, and Pregnancy Testing & Counseling: No state policy.

Immunity of Liability: No state policy.

Detailed, current information about immunization requirements by state is maintained by the National Network for Immunization Information.  Select your state from the drop down box under Search for State Vaccine Requirements for School Entry."

Exemptions: Statute 21-4-309 (no date available) allows for exemption from immunization requirements upon submission of written evidence of religious objection or medical contraindication to the administration of any vaccine.  In the presence of vaccine preventable disease, school children for whom an exemption has been issued and who are not immunized against the occurring vaccine preventable disease shall be excluded from school attendance for a period of time determined by the state or county health authority.

Wyoming has no state law or administrative rule that addresses attendance for staff with HIV. The HIV/AIDS Model Policy for Wyoming Public Schools, which is based on NASBE's Someone at School has AIDS, includes recommendations on this topic.

Wyoming has no state law or administrative rule that addresses attendance for students with HIV. The HIV/AIDS Model Policy for Wyoming Public Schools, which is based on NASBE's Someone at School has AIDS, includes recommendations on this topic.

No state policy.

No state policy.

State-level: Statute 35-1-701 (no date available) establishes a joint committee on school health comprised of the state department of education and the state department of health. In Statute 35-1-702 (no date available), the joint committee is to provide policies regarding medical services, sanitary environments, and school health instruction.

Local-level: No state policy.

State-level: No state policy.

Local-level: No state policy.

Student Health-Related Records: No state policy.

Student Health-Related Services: Rule 4362, Chapter VI, Section 17 (2001) requires school districts to provide procedures for the confidentiality of all health information.