Does state law require public schools to be "open to all"?
No
Does state law mandate "equality of educational opportunity"?
No
Do the courts recognize education as a fundamental right?
Yes—Washakie County School District v. Herschler (1980)
State Constitution
Art. 7 § 1.The legislature shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a complete and uniform system of public instruction, embracing free elementary schools of every needed kind and grade, a university with such technical and professional departments as the public good may require and the means of the state allow, and such other institutions as may be necessary.
Notes
In Wyoming, attendance zones could be vulnerable to an equal protection challenge and strict scrutiny review, because the WY Supreme Court has ruled “the matter of education involves a fundamental interest of great public importance,” which has been interpreted to mean that education is a fundamental right inWyoming.
Open Enrollment
WITHIN-DISTRICT
None found.
CROSS-DISTRICT
Voluntary for districts. Resident district cannot veto transfers. Wyo. Stat. § 21-4-502
State Law Establishing Attendance Zones
None found.
State Law Criminalizing Use Of Incorrect Address
None found.
Charter School Admissions
Wyoming’s charter school law does not prohibit charter schools from discriminating against students based on their residential address. Wyo. Stat. § 21-3-307 only specifies that a charter school application must contain “admission requirements, if applicable.”
