Accreditation & EPP Compass March 2023

Variance to Standards Applications If you are considering submitting an initial or renewal application for a Variance to Standards, the due date is Monday, March 6th, 2023. Please note that a copy of the Board of Trustees minutes must be attached to the application, indicating the approval to request this action. A copy of the unofficial minutes is acceptable until a copy of the official minutes can be submitted. Please send all applications to crystal.andrews@mt.gov or OPITEAMS@mt.gov.   Variance to Standards Website

Proposed Accreditation Process and Schedule The Board of Public Education will be reviewing the proposed accreditation process and schedule at their upcoming meeting on March 9-10.  2023-2024 School Year Accreditation Process Aligned to ARM 10.55.601(2): (1) The Board of Public Education adopts standards of accreditation upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  (2) The Board of Public Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction establish procedures and schedules for reviewing the accreditation status of each school.

Proposed Process for Accreditation -

Emphasis on Student Outcomes vs. Inputs

• Student Performance Outcomes weighted as 75% of the accreditation status.
  • Academic Growth
  • Academic Proficiency
  • College and Career Readiness
  • Student personalization and ownership results
  • Opportunity Gaps
  • MAST Pilot Outcomes – Student Growth, Proficiency, and Outcomes
  • Other measures of performance: Apprenticeship Outcomes, stackable credentials, etc.
• Assurance standards inputs weighted as 20% of the accreditation status.
• Integrated Strategic Action Plan weighted as 5% of the accreditation status. – The outcomes of the district plan carry an independent weight, emphasizing its importance.

• Cycle of Accreditation
  • The school district system will create one integrated strategic action plan with comprehensive reviews based on the cycle of accreditation.
    • The integrated strategic action plan will be completed with comprehensive stakeholder consultation and a comprehensive needs assessment.
    • The plan will include specific actions for each school in the district system.
  • All district systems and its schools will receive an accreditation status in the 2023-24 school year based on the new rules and performance standards elements.
  • The Cycle of Accreditation will be established from a two-to-five-year cycle based on each district’s unique factors. This allows each district’s specific circumstances to be part of the cycle of accreditation. 
  • Supports from the OPI may include instructional coaches, professional development, data analysis and application resources, recruitment and retention strategies, family and community engagement tactics, leadership coaching, etc.
  • Schools will be recognized on the outcomes of student performance.
• Variance to Standards
  • Applications for the 2023-24 school year are due the second Monday in October.
  • The applications with scoring rubrics will be available August 1, 2023.

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.