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School responses in Wyoming to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

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Responses by state


As students returned to school for the 2021-2022 school year, states set a variety of policies on education and the COVID-19 pandemic, including how schools should open to in-person instruction and whether students and staff would be required to wear masks. By the end of the 2020-2021 school year, about 66% of students nationwide were in states that left closure decisions to schools or districts, 33% were in states with state-ordered in-person instruction, and 1% were in states with state-ordered regional school closures.[1][2] All 50 states closed schools to in-person instruction at some point during the 2019-2020 school year in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

This article summarizes responses to the coronavirus in Wyoming schools in the academic years ending in 2020, 2021, and 2022. You will find:

Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This page is updated monthly, but our email is always open. We encourage you to share updates from local officials, policymakers, and campaigns in your community at editor@ballotpedia.org.


Timeline by school year

Below is a list of major events involving schools in Wyoming during the coronavirus pandemic between 2019 and 2022, including school closings and openings, mask requirements, and the release of statewide operating guidance. Know of something we missed? Click here to email us and let us know.

2021-2022 school year

  • Sept. 9, 2021: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio, a school data aggregator, reported no in-person schooling disruptions in Wyoming.[3][4]


2020-2021 school year

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported all schools were in-person in Wyoming.[5][6]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in Wyoming.[7][8]
  • July 1, 2020: The Wyoming Department of Education released guidance for reopening schools in the state. The state's 48 school districts were responsible for developing reopening plans in accordance with the guidance and submitting those plans for approval by the state. Each plan needed to account for three scenarios: traditional learning, hybrid learning (a mix of in-person and distance learning), and distance-only learning.[9]


2019-2020 school year

  • April 29, 2020: Gov. Mark Gordon (R) announced that the statewide closure of schools to in-person instruction was extended from April 30 to May 15.[10]
  • April 3, 2020: Gordon announced that the statewide school closure, scheduled to end April 17, was extended through April 30.[11]
  • March 27, 2020: Gordon announced that the statewide school closure, initially scheduled to end April 3, was extended through April 17.[12]
  • March 20, 2020: Gordon closed all schools in the state through April 3.[13]
  • March 15, 2020: Gordon recommended that schools in the state close in response to the coronavirus outbreak and reopen no later than April 6. As of March 16, 35 of the state's 48 school districts were closed.[14]

Mask and vaccine requirements in the 2021-2022 school year

Mask requirements in schools

See also: School responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during the 2021-2022 academic year

As of August 1, 2022, no states had school mask requirements in effect. Forty-two states left mask requirements in schools up to local authorities. Seven states banned school mask requirements.

The table below shows statewide school mask requirement laws and orders in states with school mask requirements or school mask requirement bans in place at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

Mask requirement orders
State Ban or requirement? Type of order Date lifted or altered
Arizona Ban Legislative action N/A
Arkansas Ban Legislative action Sept. 30, 2021 - Suspended by court action
California Requirement California Department of Public Health order March 12, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
Connecticut Requirement Executive order Feb. 28, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
Delaware Requirement Executive order March 1, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
Florida Ban Executive order N/A[15]
Georgia Ban Legislative action N/A
Hawaii Requirement Executive order Aug. 1, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
Illinois Requirement Illinois Department of Public Health order Feb. 4, 2022 - Suspended by court action[16]
Iowa Ban Legislative action May 16, 2022 - Reinstated by court action[17]
Kentucky Requirement Kentucky Board of Education order Sept. 9, 2021 - Suspended by state law
Louisiana Requirement Executive order Feb. 16, 2022 - Lifted by executive action[18]
Maryland Requirement Maryland State Board of Education order March 1, 2022 - Lifted by executive action[19]
Massachusetts Requirement Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education order Feb. 28, 2022 - Lifted by executive action[20]
Nevada Requirement Executive order Feb. 10, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
New Jersey Requirement Executive order March 7, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
New Mexico Requirement New Mexico Public Education Department order Feb. 17, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
New York Requirement Executive order March 3, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
Oklahoma Ban Executive order N/A
Oregon Requirement Oregon Health Authority and Department of Education order March 12, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
Pennsylvania Requirement Pennsylvania Department of Health order Dec. 10, 2021 - Suspended by court action
Rhode Island Requirement Executive order March 4, 2022 - Lifted by executive action
South Carolina Ban Legislative action Sept. 28, 2021 - Temporarily suspended by court action
Tennessee Ban Executive order Dec. 10, 2021 - Suspended by court action
Texas Ban Executive order N/A[21]
Utah Ban Legislative action N/A
Virginia Ban Legislative action N/A
Washington Requirement Washington State Department of Public Health order March 12, 2022 - Lifted by executive action

School mask requirements over time

School mask bans over time


Teacher and school employee vaccine requirements

See also: School responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during the 2021-2022 academic year

Seven states had issued a statewide requirement for K-12 teachers and staff to be vaccinated against the coronavirus or receive regular coronavirus testing during the 2021-2022 school year. The table below shows teacher and staff vaccine requirement laws and orders in states that issued such policies during the 2021-2022 school year.

Vaccine requirement orders
State Testing instead of vaccination allowed? Type of order Date effective
California Yes California Department of Public Health order Oct. 15, 2021
Connecticut No Executive order Sept. 27, 2021
Delaware Yes Executive order Nov. 1, 2021
Illinois Yes Executive order Issued: Sept. 19, 2021
Suspended by court action on Feb. 4, 2022
New Jersey Yes Executive order Oct. 18, 2021
New York Yes Executive order Sept. 19, 2021
Oregon No Executive order Oct. 18, 2021
Washington No Executive order Oct. 18, 2021


Student vaccine requirements

See also: School responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during the 2021-2022 academic year

On Oct. 1, 2021, California was the first state to announce a vaccine requirement for eligible students. Louisiana also announced a vaccine requirement for eligible students on Dec. 14, but then announced the state would be removing the coronavirus vaccine from the list of required immunizations in schools on May 18, 2022.

School reopenings and closures (2020-2021 academic year)

See also: School responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during the 2020-2021 academic year

Initial school year operating plan

See also: Documenting America's Path to Recovery: July 23, 2020

Wyoming released an initial operating plan for the 2020-2021 school year on July 1, 2020. An analysis of this plan appeared in our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter on July 23. The sections below include an analysis of the plan, the details of the plan, and reactions from officials to the plan.

The Wyoming Department of Education released public school reopening guidance on July 1. School districts will use the guidance to craft individual reopening plans.

On March 20, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) ordered public schools to close through April 3. Gordon extended the closure three times: March 27 (through April 17), April 3 (through April 30), and April 29 (through May 15). Schools in the state were allowed to reopen beginning May 15 pending approval from local authorities.

Wyoming does not have a statewide date for public schools to reopen. According to EdWeek, public schools in Wyoming traditionally start the academic year in August, with the exact date varying by district.

Context

The following tables show public education statistics in Nevada, including a rank comparing it to the other 49 states. Rank one is the highest number of each figure, rank 50 is the lowest. All data comes from the Common Core of Data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics.

Wyoming school metrics
Category Figure Rank
Per pupil spending (16-17) $20,317 5
Number of students (18-19) 94,313 49
Number of teachers (Fall 2016) 7,506 50
Number of public schools (18-19) 363 46
Student:teacher ratio (18-19) 12.9 43
Percent qualifying for free/reduced lunch (16-17) 38.60% 41


Wyoming school revenue
Category Figure Rank
Total revenue $1,961,721,000 46
Federal revenue percent 6.2% 42
State revenue percent 56.9% 15
Local revenue percent 36.9% 31

Details

District reopening plans

The state's 48 public school districts are responsible for developing reopening plans in accordance with the guidance and for submitting those plans for state approval. Each plan must account for three scenarios: traditional learning, hybrid learning (a mix of in-person and distance learning), and distance-only learning. The plans are due by Aug. 3.

In-person, hybrid, and online learning

Districts are to develop plans that include scenarios for in-person, hybrid, and online-only learning. The state labels these different scenarios as tiers, defined as follows:

“
  • Tier I - Open
    • In-person classes and activities, as appropriate. Minimal adapted learning on a limited, as-needed basis. Most students in school at the same time under the provisions of current health orders. Social distancing and face coverings to the greatest extent possible. Buildings open to all students.
  • Tier II - Hybrid
    • Combination of in-person and adapted learning is required due to local or state health directives. Social distancing and face coverings to the greatest extent possible for those attending in person. Buildings open to some students.
  • Tier III - Closed
    • School buildings closed to students due to local or state health directives or orders. School districts will follow provisions in the approved adapted learning plan. Buildings not open to students.[22]
 ”

Mask requirements

The guidance says that in both Tier I and Tier II, face coverings should be used “to the greatest extent possible” for those attending school in person.

In-person health recommendations and requirements

The guidance recommends that during Tier I and Tier II, physical education classes meet outside if possible and that schools adhere to local health department recommendations regarding recess and other outdoor activities.

The guidance recommends that schools serve students food in classrooms or other designated areas rather than cafeterias. Each district is required to “operate district nutrition services in a way that maximizes social distancing, use of face coverings, and appropriate hygiene measures.”

The guidance recommends that desks be placed six feet apart when possible. It also recommends that districts develop protocols to ensure social distancing in hallways, during arrival and dismissal, and during moments of student movement during the school day.

Transportation and busing requirements and restrictions

The guidance requires each district to transport students “in a way that maximizes social distancing, use of face coverings, and appropriate hygiene measures.” It recommends that students wear face coverings “to the greatest extent possible” when social distancing is not possible.

The guidance recommends that members of the same household are seated together on the bus and that each bus have an area for students that are visibly sick.

Map of school closures

The map below shows the status of school reopenings and closures at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year.

As of July 8, 2021, the status of school closures and reopenings was as follows:

  • Two states (Delaware, Hawaii) and Washington, D.C. had state-ordered regional school closures, required closures for certain grade levels, or allowed hybrid instruction only.
    • 2019-20 enrollment: 410,896 students (0.81% of students nationwide)
  • Thirteen states had state-ordered in-person instruction.
    • 2019-20 enrollment: 15,697,460 students (30.96% of students nationwide)
  • One state (Arizona) had state-ordered in-person instruction for certain grades.
    • 2019-20 enrollment: 1,152,586 students (2.27% of students nationwide)
  • Thirty-four states left decisions to schools or districts.
    • 2019-20 enrollment: 33,449,499 students (65.96% of students nationwide)



School reopenings and closures (2019-2020 academic year)

See also: School responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during the 2019-2020 academic year


The map below shows the status of school reopenings and closures at the end of the 2019-2020 academic year.

  • States closed to in-person instruction for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year: 48
  • Number of public school students in states closed to in-person instruction for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year: 50,261,464


The chart below shows the first date schools in a state were closed to in-person instruction during the 2019-2020 academic year, divided by the political party of the governor.

School responses by state

To read about school responses to the coronavirus pandemic in other states, click one of the following links below:

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.


See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Number of operating public schools and districts, student membership, teachers, and pupil/teacher ratio, by state or jurisdiction: School year 2019–20," accessed September 10, 2021
  2. ↑ EducationWeek, "Map: Where Were Schools Required to Be Open for the 2020-21 School Year?," June 14, 2021
  3. ↑ To read more about Burbio's school disruption tracking, click here
  4. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed August 27, 2021
  5. ↑ Burbio rated Wyoming's in-person index at 100. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  6. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  7. ↑ Burbio rated Wyoming's in-person index between 80-100. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  8. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  9. ↑ Casper Star Tribune, "Wyoming Department of Education releases guidelines for school reopening plans," July 1, 2020
  10. ↑ Oil City News, "Wyoming schools to remain closed through May 15th," April 28, 2020
  11. ↑ Wyoming Tribune Eagle, "Gov. Mark Gordon extends statewide closure orders to April 30," April 3, 2020
  12. ↑ KTVQ, "Wyoming extends closures of schools, businesses until April 17," March 27, 2020
  13. ↑ Governor of Wyoming, "Governor Gordon and State Health Officer issue statewide closure order for public spaces," March 20, 2020
  14. ↑ Casper Star-Tribune, "Details murky after coronavirus prompts nearly all Wyoming school districts to close," March 16, 2020
  15. ↑ On Sept. 2, 2021 the ban was temporarily suspended by court action. An appeals court upheld the ban on Sept. 10.
  16. ↑ Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) ended the statewide school mask requirement on Feb. 28, 2022.
  17. ↑ On Sept. 13, 2021 the ban was temporarily suspended by court action for all schools. On Jan. 25, 2022, the ban was partially reinstated.
  18. ↑ Oct. 26, 2021 - School districts could be exempt from the school mask requirement if they followed CDC quarantine guidance
  19. ↑ Dec. 7, 2021 - School districts could be exempt from the school mask requirement if they met one of the three following criteria: 1) the county vaccination rate was 80% or higher, 2) 80% of school staff and students were vaccinated, or 3) COVID-19 transmission in the county was considered moderate or low for 14 straight days.
  20. ↑ Oct. 1 - Schools could become exempt from the school mask requirement when at least 80% of students were vaccinated
  21. ↑ On Nov. 10, 2021 the ban was suspended by court action. An appeals court upheld the ban on Dec. 1.
  22. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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