(a) The DEG Program shall be available to Wyoming school districts, Wyoming community colleges, and the University of Wyoming, except that Wyoming community colleges and the University of Wyoming shall only be eligible to receive DEG program funds for courses that are or will be developed for and targeted to secondary students enrolled in a Wyoming school district through dual or concurrent enrollment.
(b) The notice of the grant program, together with necessary application forms and program information, shall be provided to eligible applicants by May 1. Grants will be awarded no later than August 15 of the succeeding school year.
(c) The DEG Program shall be made available for: - (i) Necessary professional development requirements that align to the virtual education program provider's professional development plan as stated on the Instructor Accountability narrative. The applicant shall detail the origin of the professional development and rationale for selection, and itemized budget of how the funds will be expended;
- (ii) Program maintenance and operational needs. The applicant shall provide an itemized budget of how the funds will be expended on items such as, but not limited to, infrastructure needs, teacher incentives, and course design;
- (iii) Accreditation requirements for virtual education program providers;
- (iv) Program evaluation of core courses within the required statewide education program, components of the Success Curriculum required for participation in the Hathaway student scholarship program specified by W.S. § 21-16-1307, dual enrollment courses, concurrent enrollment courses, and advanced-placement courses. The applicant shall detail the origin of the evaluation, rationale for selection of the evaluator, and itemized budget of how the funds will be expended; and,
- (v) Other program components necessary for sustainability if funds appropriated to the Department of Education permits.
(d) The priority of the DEG Program shall be available for the development and maintenance of virtual education programs that deliver core courses within the required statewide education program; components of the success curriculum required for participation in the Hathaway student scholarship program specified by W.S. § 21-16-1307; dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, and advanced-placement courses.
(e) The evaluation and award of all DEG Program grants shall be conducted by the Department and external evaluators, using publicly accessible rubrics. The evaluation of the grants shall be based in part on: - (i) The priority of the course(s) being offered and the intended uses of the funding;
- (ii) The number of students estimated to participate in the virtual education course(s) based on a needs assessment or prior enrollment numbers;
- (iii) Total program costs; and,
- (iv) If applicable, historical student success in the virtual education course(s).
(f) Each grant recipient shall report to the Department by not later than August 1 of the succeeding school year: - (i) The expenditure of grant amounts awarded from the prior school year;
- (ii) The number of students enrolled in the virtual education course(s) receiving grant assistance;
- (iii) The number of students that successfully completed the virtual education program;
- (iv) The impact of the grant assistance in compliance with W.S. § 21-13-330; and
- (v) An evaluation of the virtual education course(s) in addressing student needs.
206-41 Wyo. Code R. § 41-11