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SF0071

Hathaway Scholarship Program Curriculum Changes

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This law allows American Sign Language to count toward foreign language requirements and adds physical science as a qualifying science course for certain Hathaway scholarships.

What it does

  • Allows two years of American Sign Language to satisfy the foreign language requirement for honor and performance scholarships for students graduating in the 2010-2011 school year.
  • Allows one year of American Sign Language to satisfy the foreign language requirement for honor and performance scholarships for students graduating in the 2009-2010 school year.
  • Allows American Sign Language to count as a component of foreign language proficiency for opportunity and career scholarships for students graduating in the 2010-2011 school year.
  • Adds physical science as a qualifying course for the science requirement for honor and performance scholarships for students graduating in the 2010-2011 school year.
  • Requires the Department of Education to establish content standards for the physical science course in consultation with school districts.
  • Requires the Department of Education to report to the joint education interim committee by October 1, 2008, on the new standards and the effects of adding physical science.

Who it affects

  • High school students seeking Hathaway honor, performance, opportunity, or career scholarships.
  • The Wyoming Department of Education.
  • School districts in Wyoming.

Limits and unknowns

  • The law specifies different course requirements for students graduating in different school years, such as 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.
  • The Department of Education must determine the specific content standards for the physical science course.

Plain language

Terms to know

Hathaway Scholarship
A state scholarship program for Wyoming high school graduates that has specific course requirements.
Success Curriculum
The specific set of high school courses required to qualify for Hathaway scholarships.
Physical Science
A science course added to the list of qualifying subjects for the success curriculum.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

2008 General Session Summary for SF0071 UPDATED 03/06/08 Bill No.: SF0071 Drafter: DRN LSO No.: 08LSO-0355 Effective Date: 3/15/2008 Enrolled Act No.: <enrnum> Chapter No.: <chptnum> Prime Sponsor: Senator Schiffer Catch Title: Hathaway scholarship program-success curriculum. Subject: Hathaway scholarship success curriculum requirements for high school to qualify for student scholarships. Summary/Major Elements: Adds American sign language as an option to satisfy the foreign language requirement for the success curriculum; Also, effective school year 2009-2010, adds physical science as one of the prescribed science courses that will satisfy the science requirement for Hathaway honor and performance scholarship success curriculum; Requires the department of education, in consultation with school districts, to establish content standards for the added physical science course and to report to the Education Committee by October 1, 2008, on the content standards and the effect of the science addition on success curriculum requirements; 2008 SF0070 establishes a task force to review and provide recommendations on authorizing sign language as satisfaction of Hathaway foreign language requirements, and to recommend sign language instructional certification requirements and course content. Comments: Current Hathaway success curriculum requirements for foreign language and science: For Honors and Performance: 2 years of foreign language which can include native American Indian languages and under this legislation, American sign language; and 4 years of science (3 years of which from among physics, chemistry, biology, geology and computer science and under this legislation, physical science as of 2009-10); For Opportunity: 4 years of unspecified science and demonstrated proficiency in foreign language/culture common core knowledge and skills; For Career: 3 years unspecified science and demonstrated proficiency in foreign language/culture common core knowledge and skills.

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 8, 10:51 PM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The speaker explains that the bill deletes 'certified' from sign language classes and postpones adding physical science to July 1, 2009, allowing time for standards development and potential future adjustments if problems arise.

Public statementFloor statement at 19:53 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The speaker opposes concurring with the House amendments because one change introduces a potentially unconstitutional second subject and another adds an unclear new topic that could impact the Hathaway Scholarship Fund.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:05:41 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

8 roll calls

H Adopted JCC01 59-0-1-0-02008-03-06 · House59 yes 0 no
S Adopted JCC01 21-7-2-0-02008-03-06 · Senate21 yes 7 no
S Did Not Concur 0-30-0-0-02008-03-05 · Senate0 yes 30 no
H Passed 3rd Reading 59-0-1-0-02008-03-04 · House59 yes 0 no
H04 Recommended Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-02008-02-28 · House9 yes 0 no
S Passed 3rd Reading 30-0-0-0-02008-02-25 · Senate30 yes 0 no
S04 Recommended Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02008-02-15 · Senate5 yes 0 no
S Introduced and Referred to S04 30-0-0-0-02008-02-13 · Senate30 yes 0 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter Number - 97LSO
  2. Governor Signed SEA0057Governor
  3. H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0057House
  4. S President Signed SEA No. 0057Senate
  5. Assigned Number SEA0057LSO
  6. H Adopted SF0071JC01House
  7. S Adopted SF0071JC01Senate
  8. S Appointed JCC01 MembersSenate
  9. H Appointed JCC01 MembersHouse
  10. S Appointed JCC01 MembersSenate
  11. S Did Not ConcurSenate
  12. H Passed 3rd ReadingHouse
  13. H Passed 2nd ReadingHouse
  14. H Passed CoWHouse
  15. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  16. H Amendments AdoptedHouse
  17. H Placed on General FileHouse
  18. H04 Recommended Amend and Do PassHouse
  19. H Introduced and Referred to H04House
  20. H Received for IntroductionHouse

Changes

Amendments

1 stored

SF0071HS001

Adopted Standing Committee by H04