The Montana Office of Public Instruction opened the English Language Arts and Literacy Standards opened for review on September 1, 2023, joining the three sets of standards already in review Language Proficiency, Mathematics, and World Languages Standards. For more information about the ELA standards, contact ELA Content Specialist Stephanie Swigart.
Fellow educators, parents, and community members can find more information about the standards revision processes and materials on the new Montana Content Standards Revision site.
The application for the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee for Mathematics and World Languages is still open for the following stakeholders: parents, school trustees, school business clerks, tribal education Representatives, K-12 educators, higher education representatives, administrators, business owners, and taxpayers. We encourage interested parties to apply and share widely with their networks. More information including the link to apply for the Negotiated Rulemaking Committees for OPI Standards Revision can be found on the OPI's K-12 Content Standards webpage. Click to edit this placeholder text.
Great news! You now have FREE access to Discovery Education’s award-winning PK–12 learning platform and professional development opportunities! Please join us at our professional learning sessions to learn more about our Montana partnership. OPI renewal credits will be offered to all participants.
Registration Links:
August 8: 9:30 – 10:30 am MST- Click to Join
August 8: 2:00 – 3:00 pm MST- Click to Join
August 15: 9:30 – 10:30 am MST- Click to Join
August 15: 2:00 – 3:00 pm MST- Click to Join
Title: Supporting Science Instruction with Discovery Education!
Audience: Educators, Administrators, Grades: K - 5
Session Description:
Motivate and inspire your students with active and engaging science resources, including timesaving, ready-to-use activities, fun interactives, and dynamic science-focused virtual field trips. Bring science learning to life with these engaging resources and useful instructional resources!
Registration Link:
August 10: 2:00 - 3:00 pm MST- Click to Join
Are you an educator teaching provisionally or under an emergency authorization? Have you been assigned a grade or subject area for which you are not certified or are not prepared to teach due to staffing needs? Would you like to connect with a non-evaluative collegial mentor AND get paid for participating? Check out Montana State University's Mentee Information/Application for Enrollment!
Please Help Us Welcome Katrina Engeldrum, Our New Mathematics Instructional Coordinator!
Katrina has a passion for and expertise in mathematics instruction, professional learning, and content standards work! An experienced educator with a vision for state leadership and support, Katrina is joining our team to provide statewide support and leadership in Mathematics standards, instruction, and professional learning. Please join us in welcoming Katrina and building partnerships with her.
We are Hiring for Two Positions to Support Early Literacy!
Early Literacy Coordinator
The primary purpose of this position is to advance early literacy development initiatives across the state and ensure that all children have a strong foundation in literacy. The specialist will collaborate with educators, administrators, parents, and community stakeholders to design and implement evidence-based strategies that promote literacy skills among young children. Technical support for the field, providing professional learning, and keeping up on best practices are critical components of this position.
Does this sound like you? Find out more about the Early Literacy Coordinator position by checking out our job posting and applying online!
Early Literacy Research Analyst
The primary role of the Early Literacy Research Analyst is to collect, analyze, and interpret data related to early childhood literacy programs. The data analyst will be responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of literacy interventions, identifying trends, and generating insights to drive evidence-based decision-making. Additionally, the data analyst will leverage analytical skills to coordinate, collaborate, and communicate data relative to improving early childhood literacy outcomes.
Teacher Learning Hub News
#1 - “As The World Learns..."
Tune in now for more exciting episodes of endless, pertinent, and practical professional development opportunities, commercial-free programming, and as always, FREE to you, wherever you may be! We have a great cast of course offerings in this fall lineup and if you are seeking a great way to earn free renewal units for licensure, you are definitely tuned to the correct channel! Fall programming includes:
Check out our Hub Course List for additional learning opportunities that may fit your game plan!
#2 - No Tricks! Just FREE Treats for Your School District!
Is your district Signed Up for FREE Discovery Ed? If not, you are missing out on a sweet treat– Discovery Ed has partnered with OPI! FREE access for all Montana schools! Please follow this link to register for October PD offerings from Discovery Education!
Please scan the QR code below to register and gain access to streaming lots of excellent content support for your students as well as PD for your school staff! Superintendents, you can sign up your district here! OR any educator can scan below and share it with your District Administrator:
#3 Tidbits and Helpful Hints!
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Having Tech Trouble? Please click the big red Help button on the Hub homepage. Content questions? Contact the course monitor’s email located in the Hub Support block on the right-hand side.
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Please be sure to download your completion certificate as soon as you complete the Course Evaluation for each course you take so you may always have your certificate easily accessible.
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Do you have ideas or specific needs for professional development opportunities?? We would love to hear from you! Please take a minute to complete this Professional Needs Survey!
Course List | Catalog | Calendar
Questions? Contact Allyson Briese or Kimberly Evans
opilearninghub@mt.gov | 406.444.3557
English Language Arts & Literacy News
#1 First Lady of Montana and Dolly Parton Announce Statewide Expansion of Imagination Library
Partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will provide free books to Montana children from birth to age five in every Montana zip code.
“Literacy is critical for our kids and their development. When parents read to their kids or when a child reads, it engages them, it fires their imagination, and sparks their curiosity,” First Lady Susan Gianforte said. “I’m proud of the partnership we’ve developed with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and local organizations throughout Montana. Working together, we’ll make sure all our youngest kids have access to reading resources so they can dream, grow, and reach their full potential.”
Through the partnership, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will provide a free book each month to any Montana child, ages 0 to 5 years old, who is registered with the organization.
For more information, or to register a child, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.
#2 Dr. Beverly Chin Receives Prestigious Squire Award!
It is my great pleasure to report that the National Council of Teachers of English has awarded Dr. Beverly Chin the 2023 NCTE James R. Squire Award!
Previous winners of this prestigious award include Carol Jago (2022), Carol D. Lee (21), Arthur Applebee (16), George Hillocks Jr. (11), Donald Graves (08), Louise Rosenblatt (02), and Peter Elbow (01), among distinguished others.
Moreover, Beverly is only the 10th individual to be awarded both the James R. Squire Award and the NCTE Distinguished Service Award!
Beverly will receive her award at the 2023 NCTE Annual Convention in Columbus, Ohio in November.
This is a crowning addition to the numerous awards Beverly has received over the years.
Congratulations Beverly!
#3 Celebrate Indigenous Heritage! Join Us for the first Native Filmmaker Initiative Film Club of the season: Snqʷyłmistn!
Big Sky’s Native Filmmaker Initiative (NFI) Film Club is back for a sixth year, with a fresh slate of documentary films that shine a light on three powerful stories, each one celebrating diverse cultures & honoring traditional practices. Our October spotlight film, Snqʷyłmistn: the place where you do your best explores the native-led organization, Snqʷyłmistn, and the key players behind the mission and seasonal programming that fosters Salish community immersion for foster children on the Flathead Reservation.
The live Q&A with the film team and OPI's Indian Education Specialist Mike Jetty will take place on Wednesday, October 12th at 10:00am MST. Register to receive a free screening link to the film, accompanied curriculum guide, and access to the virtual live Q&A!
REGISTER FOR SNQʷYłMISTN!
The OPI ELA Webpage is Your Source for Montana ELA Announcements, Opportunities, and Resources
Keep up to date on high-quality professional learning conferences and workshops. Stay in touch with our Montana community and nationwide education partners' programs, resources, and news. Learn how to participate in exciting challenges and competitions for your students and school. Your ELA webpage is updated weekly to keep you in the loop on our ELA community’s events and opportunities.
Have an event you want to share with our Montana ELA community? Looking for resources or professional learning collaboration? Contact ELA Instructional Coordinator Stephanie Swigart for assistance!
Questions for our ELA & Literacy Instructional Coordinator?
Contact Stephanie Swigart | stephanie.swigart@mt.gov or 406.444.0736
The OPI Science webpage offers the following information for educators:
- Grant or paid opportunities,
- Challenges and competitions,
- Student and classroom opportunities,
- Conferences and professional development
- Connect with the STEM community!
Also available are:
- Science Fair Information across the state
- Refereed Curriculum
- Resources
- Science Content Standards
- News in the world of Science
Questions for our Science Instructional Coordinator?
Contact Michelle McCarthy | mmccarthy5@mt.gov or 406.444.3537
Keep up to date on high-quality professional learning conferences and workshops. Stay in touch with our Montana community and nationwide education partners' programs, resources, and news.
Have an event you want to share with our Montana Math community? Looking for resources or professional learning collaboration? Contact Mathematics Instructional Coordinator Katrina Engeldrum for assistance!
Questions for our Mathematics Instructional Coordinator?
Contact Katrina Engeldrum | katrina.engeldrum@mt.gov or 406.444.0706
OPIRUPS@mt.gov is now OPIPDUPS@mt.gov
The Professional Learning Team continues to transition our language and documents from "Renewal Units" (RUs) to "Professional Development Units" (PDUs) in alignment with the new Administrative Rules of Montana Chapter 57, 10.57.216 APPROVED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL ACTIVITY.
The former Renewal Unit Provider System (RUPS) has successfully transitioned to the Professional Development Provider System (PDUPS), and we are in the process of updating documents, web pages, and systems to reflect the change.
Notably, Renewal Unit Certificates, or RUs, have been transitioned to Professional Development Unit Certificates (PDUs). The certificates remain the same and certificates that bear the term "Renewal Units" will still be valid for educator license renewal.
Please contact the Professional Learning Team at OPIDUPS@mt.gov with any questions.
Professional Learning Portal Reopening
The Professional Learning Portal is open! Thank you for your patience as we worked through tech updates.
With a calendar of already scheduled events and a catalog of professional learning available, the OPI Professional Learning Opportunities Portal is your free resource to learn about professional learning opportunities happening across Montana!
Visit the Professional Learning Portal to learn about professional learning opportunities in Montana and, for providers, to submit opportunities to be added to the portal.
Questions about Professional Learning?
Contact the Professional Development Unit Provider System Staff | OPIPDUPS@mt.gov or 406.444.3538
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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