Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder joined U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Tuesday at Jackson Hole Classical Academy as part of the nationwide Returning Education to the States 50-State Tour. The initiative celebrates the shift of educational decision-making from the federal level back to individual states.
“Wyoming students have consistently outperformed national learning averages in recent years, ranking in the top five for 4th grade math and reading in this year’s Nation’s Report Card assessment,” McMahon said. “It was great to see firsthand one of the education models that has propelled this success and talk with Governor Gordon and Superintendent Degenfelder about how Wyoming’s approach—particularly its focus on early literacy, strong community involvement, and support for teachers—can serve as a model for other states.”
The tour highlights successful educational practices in areas such as literacy, school choice, and career and technical education, with the goal of empowering local communities and states to implement solutions tailored to their needs.
“I was thrilled to join Secretary McMahon on her visit to the incredible Jackson Hole Classical Academy in Wyoming,” Degenfelder said. “The priorities of Secretary McMahon and the Trump administration are Wyoming’s priorities, and I am honored to fight alongside them for school choice and the freedom of every Wyoming family to decide what’s best for their children.”
Governor Mark Gordon also participated in the tour stop, joining a roundtable discussion with school leaders, educators, and policymakers to explore ways Wyoming can continue to strengthen student outcomes through local decision-making and innovative education models.