Montana Special Education Guidance Document
The 2021-22 guide has been updated and uploaded onto the OPI website under Guides and Forms within the Special Education tab.
Montana Special Education Guide
Statewide Special Education Directors Meeting
The kickoff for a monthly Directors Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday December 8th at 8:30 and will reoccur on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the same time for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year. We will continuously strive to keep these meetings within an hour in length.
- Meeting Link
- Dial by Telephone +1 646 558 8656 or +1 406 444 9999
- Meeting ID: 886 4651 6585
- Password: 415263
The MTSS Community of Practice will be held on the third Thursday of every month from 4:00-5:00 pm. The purpose of the MTSS COP is to explore topics of interest, to provide technical assistance and support for implementing best practices in MTSS, and to build a collaborative network for educators throughout Montana. Following each presentation, participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas.
December 16, 2021 4:00-5:00
The Special Education Community of Practice will be held the first Thursday of the Month from 3:30-4:30. There will be a short presentation on a topic followed by a discussion around that topic. The purpose of these meetings is to provide technical assistance and support for Special Education teachers as well as help build a network for teachers throughout Montana.
December 2, 2021 3:30-4:30
Dr. Bella Bikowsky, a national consultant who specializes in integrating behavioral and mental health supports in school settings, will be offering open office hours one day each month. She will provide coaching sessions for interested MTSS teams on implementing Tiered Behavioral Supports, Restorative Practices, Trauma Responsiveness, and Social Emotional Learning.
Topic: OPI MTSS Virtual State Meeting
Last Tuesday of each month from 11:00am-12:30pm, dates as follows:
- November 2nd
- November 30th
- Exclude December
- January 25th
- February 22nd
- March 29th
- April 26th
- May 31st
As a participating TASK 12 Member State, Montana, has collaborated with the IMET program to provide free access to five different online professional development modules developed for sign language interpreters. Certificates of completion and RID CEUs are available for successful completion. Modules have been designed to be completed independently online at a self-pace.
Upcoming Grant Opportunity: Montana Tiered System of Supports
. . . increasing the capacity for school districts in Montana to
implement a continuum of evidence-based practices and
supports within a tiered framework, providing all students
with the best opportunities to maximize achievement,
both academically and behaviorally.
The purpose of the grant is to provide training and support to districts in building the capacity to implement a systems-level problem-solving approach at the district, school, classroom, and individual student level within the multi-tiered systems (MTSS) framework to facilitate the adoption of evidence-based academic and behavioral practices.
Grant Overview
Training will be available through a zoned implementation approach that corresponds with the regional CSPD zones. Applications will be accepted from Districts following this schedule:
Region 1: Grant Implementation began spring of 2021
Regions 2 and 3: Grant Implementation to begin Fall 2022, Applications available Nov 17, 2021
Regions 4 and 5: Grant Implementation to begin Fall 2023, Applications available Nov 2022
Benefits of Participation
Working with the Montana Tiered System of Supports project will help schools achieve two key outcomes:
- Establish an effective, efficient process for data-based decision making to continually meet the needs of all students and staff; and
- Improve academic, behavior, and social emotional growth and well-being for all students.
Application Timeline
Applications for the 2022 grant cohort from Region 2 and 3 will be available Nov 17, 2021 and applications are due by Jan 17, 2022.
Email both sandy.elmore@mt.gov & jennifer.nettleton@mt.gov to request an application.
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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