Reading is a right, not a privilege
Wyoming's average reading proficiency for third grade is just over 53%. We need to be concerned with the other 47%.
In fourth grade, students are no longer taught how to read; instead, they must read to learn. Too many Wyoming children with reading difficulties and dyslexia go unidentified and unsupported. Without proper intervention, they're left behind.
WYO Right to Read Mission
WYO Right to Read is a Wyoming-based nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that every child with dyslexia and related reading difficulties has the fundamental right to evidence-based reading instruction. We advocate for a comprehensive bill that guarantees this instruction is delivered with fidelity by fully qualified and trained teachers. Our commitment extends to advancing educational equity, empowering families, and providing essential dyslexia support while holding schools accountable so that all children can achieve the lifelong right of literacy.
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Why This Video Matters
This video links a devastating personal story to an urgent policy deadline — showing why dyslexia screening and evidence-based literacy instruction are prevention, not extras. It also calls out exactly who is stalling the rule and why that delay is costing kids time they don't have.
Main Points
• The stakes: 30–50% of incarcerated individuals have dyslexia, compared to ~20% of the general population. Many only get proper screening after incarceration — not in elementary school, when it could matter most.
• A second chance to get it right: Wyoming's 2012 dyslexia screening law failed from weak implementation. The 2026 Wyoming Language and Literacy Act was built to fix that — but its rollout is now stalled.
• Who's slow-walking it: The Wyoming Association of School Administrators, Wyoming School Board Association, and Wyoming Department of Education are named as the parties delaying the rule's progress.
• Chandel Pine's story: Co-founder of WYO Right to Read, Chandel became an advocate after her son Paul — dyslexic, gifted, and deeply empathetic — took his own life in 5th grade after being bullied for his dyslexia.
• Proof it works: After training teachers in evidence-based literacy science, Mississippi rose from 49th to 9th in the nation for 4th grade reading (2013–2024).
• The ask: Chapter 57 implementation needs a public hearing and Governor Gordon's signature before he leaves office in January.
Public Hearing — Today, September 16th, 3:45 PM
Visit edu.wyoming.gov and click the Zoom Registration Link to attend.
When viewing the video, just click Play. Do not click the "Watch More" that takes you to TikTok other videos.
@pneumalab Like and share this video to help Wyoming kids. @Mrs_🌲 @megandegenfelder #wyoming #paulsmountain #wyorighttoread #literacy #dyslexia ♬ suara asli - ˢᵃᵈⁿᵉˢˢ
Teacher Survey
“Absolutely not. The “strategies” I was taught—such as looking at pictures, guessing based on the first letter, or relying on what “makes sense”—were profoundly inadequate. Imagine the impact if pre-service teachers were actually trained to teach reading using evidence-based..."
“No I do not feel like I was given many tools at all to teach reading- decoding, phonics, comprehension (literature or informational), morphology, etc. I just graduated from UW 3 years ago and have learned way more from my LETRS training as well as UFLI for the science of reading...."
“I am a reading interventionist. I have been given the training and materials I need to help a struggling reader become successful. For that I am grateful. What is missing is the TIME...”
“No. I was not taught how to teach reading or how to help struggling learners. I have learned many valuable skills while on the job. Think of building the plane as you are flying it.”
The Hidden Cost of Illiteracy in Wyoming
Hover or click a county to see the comparison.
