Wyoming.

This report focuses on the status of P–12 and higher education funding in Wyoming for fiscal year 2024, highlighting funding priorities, changes to the state funding formula, and ongoing challenges such as declining student enrollment and teacher shortages. Wyoming uses a block grant funding model for public schools, determined by factors including enrollment and special education needs, with state payments addressing funding gaps; however, lawsuits have challenged the adequacy of this funding, citing teacher turnover linked to low wages and workloads. Higher education funding has increased at the state level but declined federally, with COVID-19 relief funds temporarily boosting resources. Key issues include difficulties in recruiting and retaining teachers, especially in rural areas, limited alternative certification pathways, and reliance on finite federal mineral royalties, which may threaten future funding stability. Additionally, Wyoming began funding charter schools in FY2024 to support their initial operations.