Opening a charter school in Wyoming may soon be easier, thanks to a revised set of rules and regulations crafted by the Wyoming Department of Education and the Wyoming Association of Public Charter Schools.

The revised rules lay out a more defined application process to follow for groups interested in starting a charter. Charter schools will still be approved by school districts, and a remediation process is in place should issues arise between an applicant and a school district.

Amy Edmonds, the association's executive director, said the revised rules, if formally adopted, aren't a final solution.

"We're fairly happy with them," Edmonds said. "[But] This is a Band-Aid on what's going to be a further problem."

The Wyoming State Board of Education recently approved starting the rule-making process for the revised set. Emergency rules will go into effect for 120 days to allow interested charter schools to continue the application process.

At the board's meeting, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jim McBride said revising the charter schools rules was an attempt to level the education playing field for students, much like offering distance education.

"Ultimately, this will provide more access and more opportunities for kids," he said.

According to the association's Web site, Wyoming has the eighth weakest charter school law of the 41 states with such laws. This spring, the 2009 Wyoming Legislature passed House Bill 62, which clarifies and improves the application process for charter schools.

There are currently three charter schools in the state-Fort Washakie Charter High School, the Wyoming eAcademy of Virtual Education, and Snowy Range Academy in Laramie.

Edmonds said several groups in Lander, Gillette and Cheyenne have expressed interest in starting charter schools. Part of the interest is from parents wanting more choices for their children's education.

"There is definitely an interest," Edmonds said. "Wyoming is not an exception to this idea."

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at jasa.santos@trib.com. Read her education blog at tribtown.trib.com/JasaSantos/blog.