Wyoming Special Education Certification & Requirements

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Special Education in Wyoming

The Wyoming page on the Ed.gov website indicates that 17 percent of students in Wyoming (about 12,000 in number) are identified as having disabilities. This figure is significantly higher than the national average of 13 percent. Considering this high percentage of students with special needs, it is impressive that, as of the 2010/2011 school year, this state earned the U.S. Department of Education’s highest ranking (“Meets Requirements”) in regard to its ability to meet the nation’s special education targets, according to an Education Week infographic. Concordia University reports that the state employs over 900 special education teachers to serve in its 48 schools districts. Wyoming is unique in that it is a largely rural state, with over half of its districts meeting federal requirements for government grants to assist rural schools in meeting academic goals.

Licensure Requirements

For Undergraduates

In Wyoming, a graduate degree isn’t necessary to qualify for Initial Licensure to teach students with special needs; however, Initial Licensure does require an undergraduate degree in education that includes student teaching and that leads to an Institutional Recommendation for licensure. For more information, consult the Traditional Route to Licensure guidelines on the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) website.

For Graduates

Graduate studies in special education qualify candidates for Wyoming licensure if they include a student teaching component. Note, however, that there is only one graduate program in special education in the state.

Types of Licenses

The licensure section of the PTSB website lists the two basic categories for teaching licenses: Initial Licensure and Educator Permits, which are granted for areas that do not require standard liscensure (such as coaching and substitute teaching). The traditional route to Initial Licensure involves completing an approved teacher preparation program at the undergraduate level.

Reciprocity

The PTSB office issues teaching licenses to candidates who hold teaching certification from another state, as long as the requirements that the candidate met to obtain that certification are equivalent to Wyoming requirements. Individuals holding teaching licenses obtained through out-of-state alternative certification programs can also obtain Wyoming teaching licenses, though the PTSB requires that such candidates must have taught for at least three out of the previous six years in the state in which they hold their certification. For more information regarding reciprocity for out-of-state and foreign applicants, consult the Out-of-State/International page on the PTSB website.

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Special Education Degrees in Wyoming

The University of Wyoming (UW), located in Laramie, offers a master’s degree in special education that includes an endorsement to teach students with special needs in kindergarten through high school, as well as a non-master’s degree option, the 30-hour K-12 Endorsement program.

Graduate Programs

Bemidji State’s master’s in special education program is offered in collaboration with Natrona County School District. Bemidji State is in Minnesota, but Natrona County School district is in Casper, Wyoming. This partnership helps prepare graduates of the program to move right into a classroom setting. At the University of Wyoming, students can earn a master’s in education with an emphasis in special education. The program was designed for teachers who want additional training in teaching students with learning disabilities. The program is very flexible to accommodate the needs of all students and their work or personal schedules.

Alternatives to Licensure

Wyoming has measures in place to fill a teaching vacancy when a certificated candidate cannot be found; however, the Exception Authorization has stringent requirements. This authorization is valid for one year, allowing those who are granted it to complete the requirements for full licensure while they work in the classroom. Wyoming also hires uncertified teachers through the Northern Plains Transition to Teaching program (NPTT). Administered through Montana Statue University, this online master’s degree program requires that students have a bachelor’s degree and a proven career track record. In this two-year program, students complete teacher preparation coursework, and have to option to work as teachers during their second year of study.

Special Education Teaching Jobs in Wyoming

Public schools

The Wyoming Public Schools website maintains a list of job vacancies sorted by grade level. In addition, the Wyoming School Boards Association (WSBA) posts openings throughout the state on its Wyoming Job Vacancies board.

Private schools

Private special education schools in Wyoming include Laramie’s Mae Olson Education Center, Thermopolis’ Big Horn Basin Children’s Center and Wilson’s Red Top Meadows Residential Treatment Center (for boys only).

Other programs

The Wyoming branch of Connections Academy hires certified special education teachers to work with the K-12 population.

Professional Development

The PTSB maintains a list of upcoming approved workshops for professional development. These workshops address general education as well as special education. Teachers can also submit requests to attend other workshops for credit by filling out the form available at the PTSB’s professional development page.
The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) Special Programs Division sponsors an annual Leadership Symposium addressing issues of interest to educators in both general and special education.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Wyoming State Personnel Development Grant assists state agencies in reforming their professional development offerings for special educators, from early intervention through transition services. Its programs focus on improving instructional practices and providing technical assistance and other resources.

Professional Groups for Special Education Teachers in Wyoming

The membership of the Wyoming Education Association (WEA), the state teacher’s union, is comprised of teachers from every level of public education, preschool through university, along with retired educators, administrators, students in teacher preparation programs and educational support staff. The WEA works to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the state, and to promote the cause of public education.
Teachers, administrators, government officials and other professionals form the membership of the Wyoming Advisory Panel for Students with Disabilities. The group advises the Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction, promoting services for children and youth with disabilities.
Eye-to-Eye is a national mentoring organization with several chapters in Wyoming that employs an arts-based curriculum to help children and high school and university students with learning disabilities and ADHD appreciate their unique gifts.

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A Special Education Blog in Wyoming

The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming: This Wyoming branch of the national ARC organization maintains a blog about regional special education programs, resources, opportunities, scholarships and the group’s accomplishments.