OPI's October 2023 Compass

Superintendent Elsie Arntzen, along with Browning High School students, teachers, administrators, and Browning Public Schools representatives celebrated the 2024 Montana Teacher of the Year, Kevin Kicking Woman, at Browning High School on Thursday, September 28, 2023. Kevin is a Blackfeet Native American Studies Teacher at Browning High School in Browning, Montana. He will go on to represent Montana in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

Mr. Kicking Woman was unanimously selected after a highly competitive process. On September 12, the selection committee interviewed four finalists:

• Teresa Heil from Frazer
• Jacob Turcotte from Poplar
• Kevin Kicking Woman from Browning
• Tamara Fisher Alley from Polson

The selection committee was made up of representatives from the Office of Public Instruction, the Governor’s Office, the School Administrators of Montana, the Montana Board of Public Instruction, the Montana Advisory Council on Indian Education, and the 2023 Montana Teacher of the Year.

Year II of the MAST program is underway! There will be five testing windows:

• Testing Window #1: October 23 - November 10, 2023
• Testing Window #2: November 27 - December 15, 2023
• Testing Window #3: January 29 - February 16, 2024
• Testing Window #4: March 11 - April 5, 2024 (ELA performance task)
• Testing Window #5: April 15 - May 10, 2024

Reminder: With full participation in year II of MAST, students will not be required to take the Smarter Balanced Assessment for Math and ELA grades 3-8.

MAST Pilot Opportunity:

Is your school district interested in piloting a version of the MAST Program? The MAST Form B Pilot Program includes:

• A Preview of the New MAST Program. As a part of the MAST Form B Pilot program, districts can sign up to participate in an end-of-year assessment and gain a sneak peek of the piloted through-year assessment in a more traditional end-of-year summative format. 
• Accelerated Results. Schools that participate will receive the student response report just two weeks after the testing window closes, instead of waiting for a traditional summer release. Performance Tasks score reports for ELA will be delivered at a later date. 
• Availability for Math and ELA. It's designed as a series of short tests, or “testlets,” making the testing experience more manageable for students. These assessments will be conducted over multiple days and encompass: 
• Math: 12 standard testlets comprised of 10 single/multipart items, and 1 "anchor" testlet comprised of 22 items. 
• ELA: 6 standard testlets comprised of 18 items and a writing performance task testlet comprised of 5 items with 1 writing task 
• Short Timelines. Assessment administration will take place during the last testing window, April 15 to May 10, 2024.
• No double-testing. With full participation in the MAST Form B Pilot, students will not be required to take the Smarter Balanced Assessment for Math and ELA grades 3-8.

If interested, please contact Tressa Graveley, OPI Assessment Specialist, no later than October 1, 2023.

For more information, see the MAST Bulletin or contact Tressa Graveley, Assessment Specialist.

Districts received embargoed test scores for the federally mandated end-of-year summative assessments on September 5, 2023. Test scores were made public on September 12, 2023. The comprehensive review of 76,000 students tested included:

• Math; grades 3-8
• English Language Arts (ELA); grades 3-8
• Science Assessment for grades 5-8
• 11^th grade ACT
• Alternative results in math, reading, and science assessment

The federal government requires 95% participation for the summative assessment. In the 2022-2023 school year, 98.5% of 3-8 grade students participated in the Reading assessment and 98.2% of 3-8 grade students participated in the Math assessment.

Reading proficiency for grades 3-8 was:

• 2022-2023 – 45%
• 2021-2022 – 46.1%

Math proficiency for grades 3-8 was:

• 2022-2023 – 37.5%
• 2021-2022 – 36.5%

During the 2022-2023 school year 92% of high school juniors completed the ELA portion of the ACT and 93.4% completed the Math portion. The average score for Montana was 19.4. Traditionally the national ACT college readiness average has been 22 out of a maximum of 36.

ELA proficiency for grade 11 ACT was:

• 2022-2023 – 53.4%
• 2021-2022 – 42.1%

Math proficiency for grade 11 ACT was:

• 2022-2023 – 30.3%
• 2021-2022 – 25.1%

The ELA and Math scores for grade 11 were the highest since the pandemic and ELA proficiency was at a historic high.

All test scores are available here.

For more information, please contact Cedar Rose, Assessment Director at cedar.rose@mt.gov.

ESSER II funds must funds must still be obligated, i.e. have signed contracts, by September 30, 2023. The federal Department of Education (DOE) is providing an opportunity for school districts to extend the “liquidation” period for ESSER II funds. The original liquidation period ends on January 28, 2024, while the extended opportunity ends on March 31, 2025. The extension of the liquidation period does not provide flexibility to procure new products or services beyond the closing date but allows for extended time to complete obligated activities.

Liquidation requests are submitted by the Office of Public Instruction (OPI), on behalf of the district, to DOE for approval. Districts are required to explain why funds require liquidation extensions and what measures have been taken to liquidate funds in a timely fashion. Examples of documentation on file might include specific Purchase Orders, communications from vendors regarding delays, change orders, etc. 

ESSER III funds must be expended by September 30, 2024.

The state-wide ESSER allocation through August 31, 2023, is:

The OPI is creating an Early Literacy Collaborative, in order to support the OPI’s implementation of HB 352, a bill that provides for early literacy interventions for identified students identified leading up to grade three. HB 352 intends for strong collaboration between government agencies, schools, families, educators, educator preparation programs, and communities. The focus of the OPI’s collaborative will be to provide guidance for implementation of the school and home-based literacy intervention programs determined by the Board of Public Education. In addition, the collaborative will provide data and feedback to the Board of Public Education’s Early Literacy Advisory Council. The OPI’s Early Literacy Collaborative will meet virtually monthly, starting in mid-October. If you are interested in participating in this exciting opportunity, please complete this form.

For more information, please contact Christy Mock-Stutz, Assistant Superintendent, at christy.mock-stutz@mt.gov.

We are so appreciative of the questions regarding teacher licensing fees. HB 403 revises the fee schedule for a person applying for the issuance or renewal of a teacher or specialist certificate. Currently, the annual cost is $6 per year for five years for teacher and specialist certificates. Superintendent Arntzen is following the intent of HB 403 from Representative Bedey, in order to generate sufficient revenue to administer and maintain the Teach Montana licensure system, including support staff. Keeping the teacher licensing, emergency authorization, and specialist fees at $6, aids in teacher recruitment and retention.

The average number of teacher license applications (calculated over 5 years):

• Standard teaching licenses (Class 2): 2,426
• Professional teaching licenses (Class 1): 1,332
• Administrator license (Class 3): 369
• Average other specialist licenses (such as counselor, psychologist, CTE): about 350
• New teacher applications each year: 1207
• New administrator application each year: 255

The total annual amount collected, on average, for all current teacher licenses and license application fees under the current fee structure is $158,208 which will increase to an estimated $357,995 under the proposed fee schedule. The proposed changes will increase the revenue to meet the demands of the legislation. As noted in a Montana Legislative Fiscal Division report in March 2022, state education agencies across the country have licensing fees that are subsidized in some states and unsubsidized in others, while frequently including a tiered fee structure for teacher and administrative licensing fees. Upon the Superintendent’s recommendation to the Board of Public Education (BPE) at its September meeting, the BPE must make a decision no later than December 1, 2023, per HB 403. The fees will be effective January 1, 2024.

Superintendent Arntzen is creating a parent steering committee for the implementation of the federal Perkins V state plan for career and technical education (CTE). Perkins V, or the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21^st Century Act, is the fifth iteration of Carl D. Perkins. The purpose of this Act is to fully develop the technical and employability skills of secondary and post-secondary education students. During the 2022-2023 school year, the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) allocated $3.2 million to 147 Montana schools.

Parents interested in being a part of the steering committee can apply by filling out this survey. The first steering committee meeting will be on October 3, 2023. Click here to view the 2024 Montana Perkins State Plan Timeline.

Montana Ready has a new Facebook page! Please click here to follow for updates.

The 2023-24 U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP) Scholarship application period is open to Montana Juniors and Seniors who meet the USSYP qualifications!

Two students from Montana will be selected to receive one $10,000 scholarship each, along with a required Washington Week Program, March 2-9, 2024. Attending the entire Washington Week public service and leadership program and the college scholarship are one, inseparable award!

The application is now open on the OPI Student Scholarships & Student Exchange webpage and must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm, October 2, 2023. Please take note that the process has changed this year, so extra steps and submissions are required!

Questions? Contact Kristen Bokovoy, USSYP Coordinator, at Kristen.Bokovoy2@mt.gov or 406-444-2417.

Interested in becoming a Unified Champion School? Scan the QR Code to complete the UCS Commitment Form and start the inclusion revolution in your school, district, and community!

For questions, please contact Terri Norman, UCS Senior Director at tnorman@somt.org.

Join the excitement and get involved by volunteering for this action-packed event November 9-11, 2023 in Helena.

Witness the passion, dedication, and extraordinary talent of our athletes and unified partners as they take the court and inspire us all.

Helena will proudly host this event for three consecutive years—2023, 2024, and 2025!

Embracing the theme “Together We Shine”, we invite the entire state to join in this celebration.

For more information and volunteer opportunities, please visit https://www.somt.org/volunteer/.

Advancing her initiatives as Montana’s first lady, Susan Gianforte today announced the statewide launch of the Imagination Library of Montana in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The non-profit program boosts early childhood literacy by providing free high-quality, age-appropriate books to Montana children.

“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.”

Dolly Parton said, “I’m so excited to be launching my Imagination Library statewide in Montana! I want to send my very special thanks to First Lady Susan Gianforte for her partnership in making this amazing gift available to children and families across the state.”

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. A child may be registered at imaginationlibrary.com.

The partnership will assist programs already in place while also expanding programs statewide to every zip code in all of Montana’s 56 counties.

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and Local Program Partners. The Imagination Library mails more than 2 million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to enrolled children from birth to age five. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More.

The program has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Boosting literacy to empower more Montana children and promoting and expanding access to STEM education, particularly for girls and students in our rural communities, are the first lady’s chief initiatives.

For more information, or to register a child, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.

Make learning about oral health part of the curriculum this year with free dental health lesson plans, activities and more from MouthHealthy.org! Check our collection of dental health demonstration ideas, [r.smartbrief.com] presentations and discussion questions to help build good dental habits. You'll also find a library of free, downloadable coloring and activity sheets. [r.smartbrief.com] Have a healthy school year!

For more information contact Webb Brown, Montana Dental Association Executive Director, at webb@montanadental.org.

The Billings Young Marines are holding the “Running with the Wolf Pack” Drug Demand Reduction 5K Race on Saturday October 28th, 2023 starting at the KIA Parking Lot.    

DDR stands for Drug Demand Reduction, a vital part of the Youngs Marines program.  One of the pillars of the Young Marines program is to lead positive, drug-free lifestyles...and to educate and encourage others to do the same.  

One of the primary nationwide events that Young Marines participate in is Red Ribbon Week, this represents a national anti-drug effort and awareness campaign observed annually during the month of October through the United States.  

Red Ribbon Week began after the kidnapping, torture, and murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985. Camarena, a Marine whose work was pivotable against traffickers bringing illegal drugs into the United States. In his memory, citizens of his hometown of Calexico, California donned red ribbons in his honor; the red ribbon became a symbol for prevention to reduce the demand for illegal drugs.  

In commemoration of Kiki’s sacrifice, and in acknowledgment of the thousands of agents and officers just like him that strive to make our world a safer place, the Young Marines run the Drug Demand Reduction (DDR Dash) 5K as part of our national Red Ribbon Week efforts. “  

As our program continues to grow, we need your help more than ever as we build tomorrow’s leaders today.  We are raising funds for recruitment, education, equipment, training, activities, and general operating expenses.  We are also able to send them to National S.P.A.C.E.S. and leadership schools at no cost to them so they can further themselves in rank and in life. For the past two years we have lost our federal funding, so it is imperative that we raise funds for our kids to have all these opportunities.  

This year we are offering a race within the race for our Special Forces teams.   

This will include:   

• All branches of the Military  
• The Fire Department  
• The Police Department  
• Healthcare workers  
• DEA   
• Teachers 

Rules:  

1. Four-person team, 18 and above, must all work in same business (PD and FD and HC can all be from one city or station)  
2. Each team member MUST register on race website, you will receive race t-shirts  

1. Each team must find a way to make them noticeable as a team EX: same-colored bandanas, face paint, hair  
2. After all team members have registered, you must email runningwiththewolfpackbym@outlook.com with a list of your team members and whom you represent, Team Name if you have one, Team captain, etc...  
3. This race will be run with the Main race, The first team of four across wins. (all four team members must be across to claim win)  
4. The winning team will win a trophy and an amazing prize.  The trophy will have a plaque on it with the year and team who won.  The team will then have the trophy for that year and turn it in the following year's race.    

Sign up for the race at: https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/Billings/RunningwiththeWolfPack [runsignup.com] 

If you have any questions, please contact Nikole Van Nice at 406-545-9992 (text or call), or the race email runningwiththewolfpackbym@outlook.com.  

We encourage you to join the fun this year. We thank you for your time and your service