OPI's April 2024 Compass

Check out the Calendar of Events for our Unit's Weekly Office Hours, trainings, important deadlines, and more!

For OPI Unit updates please click here.

Superintendent's Message

Please listen to Superintendent Arntzen's message here.

Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST) Program

Superintendent Arntzen and New Meridian are hosting nine community roadshow discussions on the innovative Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST) program for parents, community members, teachers, and school leaders from April 2-12, 2024. The MAST Roadshow discussions will focus on: The purpose and research of through-year assessments Learning about the MAST model Preparing for 2024-2025 assessments Offering technical support for administering testlets Offering feedback on score reports The MAST Roadshow events are: April 2 – Belgrade School District April 3 – Great Falls Public Schools April 4 – Frenchtown High School April 5 – Flathead High School April 8 – Lewistown Educational Center April 9 – Havre Middle School April 10 – Pioneer School in Wolf Point April 11 – Miles City Community College April 12 – Lockwood High School To register and for location addresses, please click here. For more information, contact Tressa Graveley, Assessment Specialist.

Legislation Implementation

HB 811 - Trustee Repository - By Rep Marta Bertoglio This legislation, codified as Title 20, Chapter 3, Part 3 (MCA), required the OPI to create a repository, available through its website, making trustee contact information readily available for each school district of the state. This repository is located on OPI's main webpage under the link Trustee Repository. With school board elections coming up, trustees and clerks will need to update their information for the repository. OPI staff will be communicating with clerks and trustees to ensure the repository is updated. For more information, please contact Barbara Quinn, Financial Manager. HB 549 - Public Charter Schools Act - By Rep Fred Anderson Superintendent Arntzen is actively implementing HB 549. This legislation, recently codified as Title 20, Chapter 6, Part 8, (MCA), authorized the establishment of public charter schools in Montana and tasked the Montana Board of Public Education as authorized entity to enter into public charter contracts with a governing board. There are two types of public charter schools – those operating under an existing local school board and those operating as a new school district under a separate governing board. The Board of Public Education (BPE) opened the first round of charter applications in October 2023. Newly approved public charter schools need to notify OPI in order to begin the school-opening process. OPI has provided a fillable form and guidance document in order to assist the school opening process to ensure schools receive the proper funding and programmatic support. OPI is also holding webinars for new public charter schools. The latest webinar was on March 20, 2024. To view the agenda or view the recording of the this webinar, click here. For more information, please contact Christy Mock-Stutz, Assistant Superintendent.

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds - ESSER

Reminder: ESSER III closes on September 30, 2024.  OPI will gather data from schools for the Year 4 ESSER Annual Report from  April 1-15, 2024. The final review of the data collection template was successfully completed March 22, 2024. Last year 95% of the schools submitted data on time during the 2 week window. Registration post cards, for work sessions to assist schools in completing Year 4 ESSER Annual Report, have been mailed and emailed. Allocation Report: The state-wide ESSER allocation through March 29, 2024, is:

For more information on ESSER please click here or contact Wendi Fawns at wendi.fawns@mt.gov.

2024-25 Teacher Residency Program

Recruitment Recruitment is currently in full-swing for the Montana Teacher Residency program for the 2024-25 school year. Districts interested in participating in the Residency program can use this link to communicate their interest. The Teacher Residency program is a full-year student teaching model, intended to improve the recruitment and retention of highly-skilled Montana teachers.    US Department of Education Best Practices Clearinghouse The Montana Teacher Residency Program was highlighted by the US Department of Education's Best Practices Clearinghouse. A big shout-out to all who have made this program a success! Watch the video here. To learn more, please access the OPI Residency Website or contact Krystal Smith.

Montana’s Annual Application for Funding under IDEA

Montana’s Annual Application for Funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is available for public comment until April 20, 2024.  A copy of the application is available through the Special Education Web page at: https://opi.mt.gov/Educators/School-Climate-Student-Wellness/Special-Education/IDEA-Fiscal   Please submit comments in writing to:  Danni McCarthy - State Special Education Director Office of Public Instruction PO Box 202501 Helena, MT 59620-2501 dmccarthy@mt.gov

Budget and Education Working Group

Superintendent Arntzen is asking parents, community members, teachers, and school leaders to join the Office of Public Instruction’s (OPI) very first Budget and Education Working Group. This group will gather information and give feedback that will serve as a resource for the Legislature when considering education funding for the 2025 Biennium Budget and 2025 Legislative Session. The working group will meet virtually four times between April and September to discuss: the budget formula ongoing budget decisions impact of federal COVID relief dollars Local, county, and state funds to support transportation, teacher retirement, and other educational needs The first meeting will be held virtually on April 24, 2024 at 7:00 pm. For those interested in joining the  Budget and Education Working Group, please click here. Submissions close on April 1, 2024

Montana Ready and Build Montana Day

On April 18th, the Montana Ready Trades Day will commence in Lewistown. There are actually two events that day as we partnered with the Montana Contractors Association Build Montana Popup Event. We’ve helped the MCA with their Popup events in other areas of the state this year so this partnership is well received on their end. Once they asked us to be involved in their April 18th Popup day, we asked if we could enhance their event by opening up a MT Ready Trades Day. They agreed so here we are and here are the details: BUILD MONTANA POPUP EVENT: Thursday, April 18th 9am – 3pm Torgersons Shop 90 Cottonwood Creek Road, Lewistown 11th and 12th grade students, teachers, and parents from the Golden Triangle, Central Montana, and North Central Montana area Spotlight on trades careers in construction and heavy equipment For more information, contact Hailee Olson at (406) 580-0081 or hailee@mtagc.org MONTANA READY TRADES DAY: Thursday, April 18th 9am – 3pm Lewistown Municipal Airport 7-12 grade students, teachers, and parents from the Golden Triangle, Central Montana, and North Central Montana area Spotlight on the trades careers in the 5 areas of Career and Technical Education Industrial Technology (trades careers in areas such as vertical and horizontal construction, auto/diesel technology, plumbing, electrical, manufacturing, etc) Family Consumer Science (trades careers in areas such as teaching, early childhood development/daycare providers, culinary arts, hospitality, tourism, etc) Business (trades careers in areas such as finance/lending, entrepreneurship, banking, etc) Health Science (trades careers in areas such as nursing, mental health, pediatrics, elderly care, etc) Agriculture (trades careers in areas such as natural resources, agronomy, agriculture equipment, etc) Parent workshops to help parents understand the many different career pathway options (not just a 4-year route) for their children and how to find helpful resources For more information, contact: Jillian Bellah, Central Montana Regional Career Coach, at (406) 422-6257 or jillian.bellah@mt.gov Kelsey Brown, North Central Montana Regional Career Coach, at (406) 594-1307 or kelsey.brown@mt.gov

Tribal Regalia at Graduation

As graduation approaches, I would like to remind everyone that in 2017 SB 319 was passed. This bill allows tribal regalia to be worn during graduation ceremonies in our public schools. §2-1-315. Tribal regalia and objects of cultural significance — allowed at public events. (1) The purpose of this section is to help further the state's recognition of the distinct and unique cultural heritage of the American Indians and the state's commitment to preserving the American Indians' cultural integrity as provided in Article X, section 1(2), of the Montana constitution. (2) A state agency or a local government may not prohibit an individual from wearing traditional tribal regalia or objects of cultural significance at a public event. (3) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (a) "Individual" means a human being regardless of age. (b) "Local government" has the meaning provided in 2-2-102. (c) "Public event" means an event held or sponsored by a state agency or a local government, including but not limited to an award ceremony, a graduation ceremony, or a public meeting. (d) "State agency" has the meaning provided in 1-2-116.

New Textbook Dealer

Superintendent Arntzen has approved a local Helena, Montana company, Big Sky Life Books as a licensed textbook dealer. Big Sky Life Books is dedicated to offering books that are filled with family-oriented and virtuous children's books that are sure to ignite imaginations and instill a love for reading. "Big Sky Life Books is thrilled to be Montana's newest resource for educators seeking to ignite imaginations and instill a love for reading in their students," said Lindsey Vroegindewey of Big Sky Life Books. "From stories about inventors to tales that showcase positive character traits, our curated selection of books is designed to educate inspire, and enrich children's lives." A complete list of licensed and bonded textbook dealers can be found here.

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools BPA Special DOTS and State Summer Games

Business Professionals of America held their State Leadership Conference on March 10-12, 2024 in Billings, where more than 1600 students and advisors came together for competition, learning and fun! Special Olympics Montana is the charitable organization for Montana BPA and collaborated to provide members the opportunity to participate in a Special Olympics celebration during the conference. Students and advisors participated in various stations during the event, including a dance party, creating good luck signs for the Special Olympics State Summer Games, signing a banner to “Choose to Include” and exchanging stickers between BPA members and Special Olympics athletes and unified partners. In addition, BPA chapters fundraised throughout the school year, made Special DOTS posters to creatively display their fundraising efforts and presented their donations to Special Olympics Montana, raising nearly $10,000! Thank you, Business Professionals of America, for your fundraising efforts and support of Special Olympics athletes and unified partners!

Special Olympics State Summer Games are headed to Billings this year, May 15-17, 2024! Visit www.somt.org to sign up to volunteer for this exciting event! Not yet a Unified Champion School? Click here to complete the UCS Commitment Form and start the inclusion revolution in your school, district, and community! Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® is a program for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments utilizing three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement.

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

Click the links below for important updates from OPI's units.

Accreditation & Educator Preparation

Achievement in Montana (AIM)

Assessment

Career, Technical and Adult Education

Coordinated School Health

Educator Licensure

Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER)

Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS)

Gifted and Talented

Indian Education for All

Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST)

Montana Autism Education Project

Montana Ready

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

School Finance

School Nutrition

Special Education

Standards, Instruction & Professional Learning

Traffic Education

Transformational Learning & Advanced Opportunities

Tribal Relations & Resiliency

Outside Opportunities

2024 Montana STEM Summer Institute

Law Enforcement Appreciation Poster Contest Promotion

Attorney General Austin Knudsen is hosting the third annual Montana Law Enforcement Appreciation Poster Contest to promote public safety and show appreciation for Montana’s law enforcement officers. All Montana elementary school students are encouraged to submit a poster and an application! The deadline for submissions is April 26^th.

To participate, students are asked to create a poster that reflects their appreciation for Montana’s law enforcement officers, fill out the application found and mail it into the Montana Department of Justice to participate. For more information about the contest, click here.

The Department of Justice will select a regional winner from an elementary school in each Montana Highway Patrol district to receive an ice cream social delivered by the Montana Department of Justice. Click here for MHP’s regional map. From the regional winner, one statewide winner will be chosen. The statewide winner and their class will receive a visit from Attorney General Knudsen, MHP Colonel Steve Lavin, and local law enforcement. The winning poster will also be displayed in Montana Highway Patrol offices and made available to law enforcement offices across the state.

The statewide winner will be announced and celebrate with Attorney General Knudsen and the Montana Highway Patrol.

Reach out to Emilee Cantrell at 406-444-5779 or Emilee.cantrell@mt.gov or Marihaidyn Housley at 406-444-5856 or Marihaidyn.housley@mt.gov with any questions.

2024 Service Academy Days with Montana's Congressional Delegation

National Fentanyl Awareness Day

The 3^rd National Fentanyl Awareness Day [fentanylawarenessday.org] on May 7th. This year will be focused on galvanizing people to take action to address fentanyl in their own homes, businesses, or communities by watching a short educational video with their families [fentanylawarenessday.org], hosting a screening of Song for Charlie's [fentanylawarenessday.org]New Drug Talk [fentanylawarenessday.org] film [fentanylawarenessday.org] in their business or community, or helping others learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose [fentanylawarenessday.org].  We also have a toolkit [89faea1f-4bca-418b-930f-c1d2a3e99c7d.usrfiles.com] for those who want to share information on social media. 

Natural Resources Scholarship

the Montana Association of Conservation Districts has a scholarship program that is open to high school seniors planning to pursue a course of study related to Montana's natural resources. Here is the link to learn more: https://macdnet.org/programs/scholarships/ [macdnet.org].

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)

Have you heard about Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)? It is a Homeland Security based program that allows exchange students to return for a 2^nd study year to your high school. This program is very beneficial to the success of exchange students and how great they are for our communities.  Out of the 367 high schools, only 16 have this certification and many students are looking to be able to return to their current Montana high school to further their learning here and or graduate. I would be willing to help any school with as much of the process as I can if you are needing help and or would like to know more information. Please reach out to me via email and or go to the website and read up on the process and benefits. rhiannonb@forteexchange.org Homepage | Study in the States (dhs.gov) [studyinthestates.dhs.gov] 

Forward Fund

The Forward Fund serves as NASDTEC’s philanthropic outreach to give back to the educational community. Its initial priority is to support classroom teachers, especially those in under-represented groups and those who serve in high-need schools.

One recipient from each of the four NASDTEC regions will be selected to attend NASDTEC’s 95th Annual Conference, June 23-25, 2024, in Pittsburgh, PN, in addition to receiving a $1,000 grant to further work in his/her chosen area of focus for a school initiative. 

For this fifth year of the Forward Fund initiative, we are seeking nominations of exemplary classroom  teachers, especially those in under-represented groups and those who serve in high-need schools. We invite you to nominate a classroom teacher in your state who is a current or former state teacher of the year or a current or former nominee for state teacher of the year.

You can read about prior Forward Fund recipients and how they used their funds at https://www.nasdtec.net/donations/fund.asp?id=22974 [nasdtec.net].

Nominations must be submitted at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024FF [surveymonkey.com], no later than Friday, April 5, 2024.   

NOMINATION INFORMATION:

1. Name of Person Making the Nomination:
2. Position Title:
3. Organization:
4. Email:
5. Nominee’s Name:
6. Position Title:
7. Email:
8. School Name:
9. School System:
10. State:
11. Subject(s) Currently Teaching:
12. Grade Levels:
13. Type of School (Rural, Urban, Private, Public, etc.):
14. Optional - Demographic information (gender, race, ethnicity):
15. Below, please tell us about your Forward Fund nominee. Consider including information about this classroom teacher that causes you to nominate the individual to receive this opportunity to attend and share about their work at the annual NASDTEC Conference, in Pittsburgh, PN, June 23-25, 2024. Each selected recipient’s school will receive $1000 toward the recipient’s school initiatives. Be sure to include any specific initiatives or areas of interest the educator is pursuing. (Please limit to 250 words.)

Celebrate the West

We are pleased to announce the launch of the 2024 edition of Celebrate the West [westgov.org], a high school visual arts competition hosted by the Western Governors' Foundation [westgov.org] (WGF). It is open to students in the 17 western states and 3 U.S. territories whose Governors participate in the bipartisan Western Governors' Association [westgov.org] (WGA). 

To enter the competition, students must be enrolled in grades 9-12 and create an original, two-dimensional piece of artwork inspired by their home state or otherwise evocative of the West. The application can be found here [woorise.com].

We are reaching out to you due to your involvement in both art and your community. We are asking for your help in promoting this competition to students in your area!

The West is a special place that I have come to love, and I know I am not alone. Please take a moment to review and share the attached flyer. To learn more, visit our website [westgov.org] or email abaker@westgov.org. For sponsorship or partnership opportunities, please contact jogsbury@westgov.org. 

Western Regional Joint Threat Assessment Training

The upcoming Western Regional Joint Threat Assessment Training, which is scheduled for May 15 & 16, 2024. The first 80 State of Montana Public Employees (e.g., law enforcement, firefighters, teachers, etc.) can register for free. Once we reach 80 State of Montana Public Employees, the registration price for Montana State Employees will be discounted to $300 a person.

504 and IDEA Training

The Montana Empowerment Center, Inc with Disability Rights Montana is excited to bring The Office for Civil Rights to Montana for a joint training on 504 and IDEA.

When: April 23, 2024

Join us for a better understanding of the civil rights of students with disabilities, and the responsibilities of schools to meet these students’ individualized needs under 504 and IDEA.

Helena - Great Northern Hotel

835 Great Northern Blvd. | Helena, MT 59601

Agenda 

• 8:30 Doors open - registration
• 9:00 OCR training begins 
• 11:30 break for lunch on your own
• 1:00 DRM Training begins
• 3:30 - 4:00 wrap-up questions 

ASL Interpreters will be on site

Presenters:

Ellen Chestnut is a civil rights attorney with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR).  As a civil rights attorney at OCR for almost 30 years, and in private practice for five years prior to her career at OCR, Ellen is an expert in Section 504 and Title II and an accomplished mediator of complex complaints, at OCR.  Ellen has enjoyed presenting to both large and small audiences locally, nationwide, and in tribal communities, regarding disability, sex, and race-based discrimination. 

Emily Hazen is a civil rights investigator with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR).  In her 20+ years of experience with OCR, Emily has investigated and resolved numerous complaints under the federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age.  She also enjoys leading training and informational presentations for diverse audiences.  Emily is passionate about helping school communities across the West understand their rights and responsibilities with regard to students with disabilities, and all students. 

Serving K-12 Students with Disabilities: Rights and Responsibilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 This 2.5 hour presentation and Q&A session is for you if you’re a: parent or guardian, school administrator, special education teacher, school professional serving students with disabilities, advocate for students, school attorney, or interested in the education of students with disabilities or who may have a disability.  Presenters from the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, will cover hot button issues relevant to students in Montana, such as who decides what help a student with a disability will receive, what needs to happen to evaluate a student for a suspected disability, examples of accommodations students may receive, what must happen when a student with a disability is disciplined, and protections for students with disabilities against different treatment.     

Tal Goldin is a Helena, MT based civil rights attorney.  He is currently the Director of Advocacy at Disability Rights Montana (DRM), where he leads the programmatic work of the State’s federally mandated civil rights Protection and Advocacy organization for people with disabilities.  Tal previously held various leadership positions at DRM including supervising DRM's Education, Employment, Benefits, Core Services, and Discrimination work units. Tal was previously the Director of Advocacy at Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA), a state-wide LSC funded legal aid organization, where he co-lead a team of over 20 public interest lawyers addressing the civil legal needs of low-income Montanans.  Tal began his legal career in private practice representing individuals and businesses in a wide variety of civil litigation and transactional matters. 

Tal has taught Special Education Law, Policy, and Practice at the University of Montana, Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences, served as an adjunct professor at the University of Montana School of Law, and presented throughout Montana and nationally on the civil rights of students with disabilities.   He is a member of the national Board of Directors of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (the leading national organization advocating specifically for K-12 students with disabilities), co-chairs COPAA’s membership committee, and serves on COPAA's amicus committee. Tal is admitted to practice law before Montana state and federal courts, Washington state courts, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is a member of the Order of Barristers, the American Association for Justice, and the Montana Trial Lawyers’ Association.

Michelle Weltman is a lawyer and social worker and has been an advocate for education access issues in Montana, Missouri, and Illinois for the past ten years. In 2022, shortly after finding her way to Missoula, MT, she joined Disability Rights Montana, and is now the Supervising Attorney for Education. Michelle has dedicated her career to individuals with the greatest need and least access to legal representation. She has focused her advocacy on education rights, domestic violence, and other civil rights issues. Previous to DRM, she worked at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation (SO IL), on matters of special education, residency, discipline, homelessness, and efforts to disrupt the ‘school to prison pipeline.’ Michelle has presented on educational access issues and the how-to’s of IEP meetings to groups varying from the National Legal Aid and Defender’s (NLADA) Conference, to Missouri’s state-wide CASA Conference, to a cohorts of mothers staying in a homeless shelter.

Register now for this in-person training. There will be a limited virtual option, register soon space is limited.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/504-and-idea-training-presented-by-the-office-for-civil-rights-and-drm-tickets-871108638387 [eventbrite.com]

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/504-and-idea-virtual-training-presented-by-the-office-for-civil-rights-and-drm-tickets-871910276107 [eventbrite.com]

Questions? Contact: 

Brian O'Leary, Communications Director

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.