Montana has a new Home Language Survey – and all districts must use it
Federal law requires all states to have a standardized process for identifying English learners (ELs). That’s why the OPI worked with Transact, a private contractor specializing in parental notifications, to update our Home Language Survey (HLS) and ensure it complies with federal law - while fulfilling Montana’s unique obligations to Native American ELs. We’re pleased to announce the new form was released on Transact on March 9th.
The Home Language Survey is a tool used at the time of enrollment to gather information about a student’s linguistic background. It allows schools to flag potential English learners so their English proficiency can be assessed with the WIDA Screener. Having all districts use a standard, well-researched form will help ensure all ELs are getting the services to which they are entitled.
All Montana educators can create a Transact account with the Self-Onboard Link. Once in Transact, the new HLS can be found under State Notices. Translations are available in Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese, and Swahili.
If you have any questions, email destin.markland@mt.gov.
Private School Participation in Federal Programs Regional Trainings
The Montana Office of Public Instruction will be hosting several regional trainings for public and private schools this April. These trainings will address private school participation in federal programs, equitable share, allowable expenditures, and much, much more. Public school districts are asked to invite any participating private, non-public within their district boundaries to attend. More specific information will be going out to districts with a participating non-public school. Districts and non-publics wishing to attend must RSVP by March 17, 2023. The RSVP can be emailed to Jack O’Connor at joconnor2@mt.gov. The trainings will run from 8:30 to 12:00 and then from 1:00 to 2:30. Dates and locations are listed below:
- April 4-Hardin Family Engagement Center 636 West 5th Street, Hardin, MT
- April 5-Manhattan Public School, 416 North Broadway, Manhattan, MT
- April 6-Great Falls Public School District Office, 1100 4th St. South, Great Falls, MT
- April 10-Glacier High School Main Conference Room, 375 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT
- April 11-Professional Learning Lab (Building B), 909 South Avenue West, Missoula, MT
High-Tiered COP Spring Conference
The High-Tiered Community of Practice Spring Conference will be held at Dawson Community College April 25-26. This year the conference is focusing on communication and networking with everyone who is involved in our most vulnerable youth. We will be on campus at Dawson Community College, and they will be showcasing their Dawson Promise program which is aimed at helping youth aging out of the foster care system, unaccompanied youth or homeless youth obtain a two-year education without debt. Attendees will also hear from Pine Hills, Ted Lechner, Reach Higher Montana, and the Montana Kinship Navigator Program. AND if the weather holds out we can have our own DINO DIG with DINO DAVE!!!!!!!!!!!
Information on Dawson Promise - https://www.dawson.edu/outreach/dawson-promise.html
Information on Reach Higher Montana - https://www.reachhighermontana.org/
Information on the Montana Kinship Navigator Program - https://msuextension.org/mtknp/
Please share this information with whomever you think would benefit from attending!!!!
Food AND OPI Renewal Units will be Provided!!!!
Registration Link - https://forms.gle/2K1yPyW5ZEc39B8t5
The Holiday Inn has a couple blocks of rooms reserved under High Tiered COP for state rate of $98/night for either 2 queens or 1 king. The block of rooms is reserved until March 27 so please get your room reserved as soon as possible!!
Guide to Using Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) Funds
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) authorizes two Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) programs: the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program and the Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) program. A local educational agency (LEA) may use SRSA funds to pay for activities that are allowable under Title I, Part A; Title II, Part A; Title III; Title IV, Part A; and Title IV, Part B of the ESEA. RLIS funds may be used for any allowable activities under Title I, Part A; Title II, Part A; Title III; and Title IV, Part A; as well as parental involvement activities. An LEA may only use REAP funds for allowable costs, as defined in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements (Uniform Guidance, 2 C.F.R. Part 200), which include, among other things, the requirement that costs be reasonable and necessary for the accomplishment of program objectives.
For information on obligating and drawing down REAP funds, see the REAP Grant Performance Period webpage. For information on how to access SRSA funds in G5, see the Guide for Accessing SRSA Grant Funds in G5.
How to Use this Guide
Below is a searchable list of examples of possible uses of REAP grant funds, subject to the requirements described above. The list is illustrative only, and not intended to be exhaustive, and applies only to funds awarded under REAP. Funds awarded under another ESEA Title program are subject to the rules and requirements of that program; for more information on individual programs, see the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education website. To use this webpage, you can filter by activity topic (e.g., “Technology Devices”) or by REAP program (i.e., SRSA, RLIS, or SRSA and RLIS). (Note: to see the most results, filter by “SRSA and RLIS” and then either SRSA or RLIS to see additional examples specific to the individual programs.) You can also search by word (e.g., “computer”) and get results containing that word. The examples listed below may be allowable uses of REAP funds. However, the question of allowability is fact specific (e.g., whether a use of funds is reasonable and necessary and supplements but does not supplant other uses of funds depending on the specific circumstances). If your State or LEA has additional questions related to cost allowability, please contact REAP at reap@ed.gov.
To access the Allowable Uses Guide please click here - https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/rural-insular-native-achievement-programs/rural-education-achievement-program/quick-guide-using-small-rural-school-achievement-srsa-rural-low-income-school-rlis-funds/
Supplement and Not Supplant Requirement
Both SRSA and RLIS funds must be used to supplement, and not supplant, any other Federal, State, or local education funds. For information about the supplement and not supplant requirement, please see III-C-2 of the REAP Informational Document.
SRSA Eligibility
Below is the link to the current version of the REAP Master Eligibility Spreadsheet. Please review the information and contact your REAP State Coordinator with updates.
Click Here: Fiscal Year 2023 Master Eligibility Spreadsheet
- Please note that if your LEA has submitted a request to update its primary contact or other LEA information, it may take up to a week to see that change reflected on the Master Eligibility Spreadsheet here.
The Montana English Learner Instructional Network: Fostering Collaboration Among EL/ML Educators
Montana’s schools face many challenges serving the growing number of English learners in our state, but we can move mountains when we work together. Whether you are a district administrator, an EL coordinator, a tutor, or a gen ed teacher, you are welcome in MELIN, the Montana English Learner Instructional Network. Our mailing list allows members to share resources and strategies, get clarification about EL law, and keep updated about what’s going on in the state. We also have monthly Zoom meetings during the school year where we discuss our successes and struggles, brainstorm ways to improve our programs, and work together to tackle the complicated issues our unique English learner population faces.
If you are committed to providing English learners with equitable and meaningful education, please join us! To register, email destin.markland@mt.gov.
REMINDERS ABOUT ENROLLING STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
- Students qualify for immediate enrollment, even without necessary documentation*
- Students qualify for free meals and immediate transportation
- Unaccompanied Youth, “a homeless child or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian” may self-enroll
RESIDENCY QUESTIONNAIRES
- Enrollment, beginning of the year, winter, spring
- OUTREACH-newsletter, website, email/text blast
- Explain resources available and importance of updating information
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Student Residency Form on TransACT HS-03
Students/families experiencing homelessness are already facing numerous challenges and are walking into your school feeling intimidated and scared. Most of the time, school is the safest place for these children. You are the first friendly, helpful, welcoming person they have experienced. Thank you in advance to all you do day after day to wrap around all our students and families who need a little extra love and positivity.
Questions-Please reach out, Serena 444-2036 serena.wright@mt.gov
HOMELESS LIAISON MEETING TUESDAY, April 18TH
Federal Grants Unit Contacts:
Jack O'Connor, Federal Programs Director, 406-444-3083
Angela Branz-Spall, Title I Part C MEP Director, 406-444-2423
Christy Hendricks, Federal Programs Coordinator, 406-444-0794
Destin Markland, Title III Coordinator, 406-444-0044
Serena Wright, State Coordinator for Homeless Education/Title I Specialist, 406-444-2036
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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