State policy does not specify a number of students per class or teacher-to-student ratio in physical education classes.
The state enforces the Wyoming Physical Education Content and Performance Standards revised December 2023, which align with national benchmarks such as SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards. These standards are included in Wyo. Code § 10-3 and focus on motor skills, fitness knowledge, and responsible behavior.
Local districts determine acceptable substitutions for physical education credits (Wyo. Stat. § 21-9-101). Waivers for physical education requirements are not explicitly addressed in Wyoming’s statutes or codes.
There are no statewide mandates for minimum weekly physical activity or daily recess in elementary schools (Wyo. Stat. § 21-9-101). Decisions about withholding physical activity as punishment are left to local school policies.
The state does not require student fitness assessments. Implementation is optional and at the discretion of individual districts (Wyo. Code Ch. 10, § 3).
School districts must provide sufficient facilities to meet the requirements of the educational program, including gymnasiums and outdoor playfields (State Construction Department, Ch. 3, § 8[d]-[e]). Minimum space standards for physical activity are outlined in the regulations.
Online courses may be used to fulfill physical education requirements as long as they adhere to state content and performance standards (Wyo. Stat. § 21-9-101).
Physical education teachers are required to hold a state certification and pass the relevant Praxis exam to teach at the elementary, middle, and high school levels (Wyo. Code Ch. 4, § 4). Certification includes standards set by the Professional Teaching Standards Board.
Adapted physical education for students with disabilities follows the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities standards, incorporated into Wyoming state requirements (Wyo. Stat. § 21-9-101[c][i]).
Physical education funding varies by district, with no statewide-specific allocation. Local school boards manage resource distribution (Wyo. Stat. § 21-9-101).
Schools are required to develop wellness policies but are not obligated to submit them to the state or make them public in accordance with federal regulation (7 CFR §210.30; Wyo. Stat. § 21-9-101[b][i][G]). Implementation and monitoring are managed locally.
Wyoming law requires teacher evaluations statewide, applied to all licensed staff, including physical education teachers. Districts develop evaluation criteria locally but must report compliance to the state (Wyo. Stat. §21-3-110[a][xvii–xviii]).
Recent updates include technology integration encouraging the use of digital tools and apps to enhance learning experiences in physical education (Wyo. Code Ch. 10, § 3), mental health emphasis incorporating activities and lessons addressing mental health alongside physical fitness to promote holistic well-being, and a focus on lifelong fitness–promoting curricula that encourage lifelong physical activity, aiming to instill habits that sustain health and wellness beyond school.
Regulations assign responsibility for physical education policy implementation to Local Education Agencies through curriculum standards and required instructional programs. The regulations include enforcement provisions such as mandated annual district-level reporting to the state and undergo a state-led accreditation review every five years, periodic audits and reviews by the Wyoming Department of Education, and required alignment of local policies with state standards. They do not include specific penalties for noncompliance (Wyo. Stat. §21-3-110[a][xxxiv]).
For more details, call the Wyoming Department of Education at 307-777-3793, visit https://edu.wyoming.gov/ about/contact/, or go to 2300 Capitol Avenue Hathaway Building, 2nd Floor, Cheyenne, WY 82002. J