The OPI is providing this newsletter every month for an update on current events and ongoing education-related issues in Montana. The next Navigator will be sent to you in

May 2024

For previous editions of the Navigator click here.

Superintendent's Message

The Office of Public Instruction made some great updates to our website. More information has been added to the Budget & Education Working Group page regarding the upcoming meeting and a map showing participation from across the state. The pages for Public Charter Schools and Community Choice Schools have been updated to include more resources and background information.  I would also like to congratulate Billings School District on submitting all the required documents. These Public Charter Schools received their school codes and are on schedule to open: Billings Early College School, Billings Multilingual Academy, Billings Opportunity School.

The Superintendent attended the Skillsusa Montana conference at Helena College. These student leaders embrace what it means to be Montana Ready!

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.

April is the Month of the Military Child

This month we honor Montana’s Purple Star Schools and Purple Star Champions Awardees. The Purple Star Award distinguishes Montana schools and individual champions who have displayed extraordinary commitment to supporting our military students and their families. To qualify as a Purple Star School, each school must meet specific designation criteria and be given support through the state and national Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission to continue the strong support of our military-connected students and families. 

The Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) was adopted by the Montana legislature through SB203 which resulted in 20-1-230 & 20-1-231 MCA.  MIC3's purpose is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families. Through the Interstate Compact key educational transition issues encountered by children of military families are addressed.

"The Montana Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission is proud to showcase the committed community members and schools who go above and beyond for our military children and their families. Understanding their unique challenges and circumstances, this award is vital in uplifting both our military families and those who continually work to serve them." Col Ciro E. de la Vega, Commander, 341st Mission Support Group

“It takes a village to raise a child” is also true for military parents who know raising their children in a safe and nurturing environment is a community effort. A robust support system within the military and community culture can ensure the rewards outweigh the challenges. Thankfully, Great Falls Public Schools leadership is committed to serving military students and families with the best possible experience." Brad Livingston, Brig Gen (ret).

Legislative Updates

Legislative Implementation

HB 393 - Establish the Students with Special Needs Equal Opportunity Act - By Rep. Sue Vinton

HB 393 establishes a students with special needs savings account. Qualified students, those identified as a "child with a disability" under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C 1400, may be eligible for reimbursement of allowable education expenses.

The Education Savings Account Steering (ESA) Committee provides strategic advisory support to ensure the administrative process of the ESA program meets the needs of students and families enrolled in the program. The next Committee meeting will be on April 8, 2024 and information on the meeting can be found HERE.   

The OPI is prepared to have applications available for families opening May 1, 2024 through June 1, 2024. OPI has also hired a fulltime employee, Whitney Williams, to assist parents through this process. 

For more information, please contact Christy Mock-Stutz, Assistant Superintendent.

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 203 - Out-of-District Tuition -  By Rep David Bedey

This legislation generally revised education laws to enhance educational opportunities. This amended the title of 20-5-320, MCA, to be: Out-of-district attendance by parent or guardian request with no extenuating circumstances . In addition, this provides limited circumstances under which an out-of-district attendance application may be denied, as well as requiring the resident district to pay for resident children who attend out of district. The OPI has updated the Student Attendance Agreement Form, FP-14, to align to this new legislation, and has posted guidance to assist schools with implementation. 

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.

Congratulations to Billings School District for submitting all the require paperwork for Billings Early College School, Billings Multilingual Academy, Billings Opportunity School!

For more information, please contact Christy Mock-Stutz, Assistant Superintendent.

Calendar

The Gavel provides updates on the implementation of new laws, in-depth research, links to interesting topics, and timely items about the Legislature.

Legislative Calendar Updates

April 2024

4/9 - Criminal Justice Oversight Council Room 102

4/10 - Environmental Quality Council  Remote

4/17 - Environmental Quality Council  Room 137

4/17 - Montana Invasive Species Council Quarterly Meeting Room 152

4/17 - Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission Room 172

4/22 - Legislative Audit Committee (A) Room 172

May 2024

5/2 - Board of Public Education Room 152

5/7 - CPS Work Group Room 102

5/7 - Economic Affairs Committee Room 137

5/8 - Court System for Dependency and Neglect Task Force Room 172

5/8 - Transportation Interim Committee Room 102

5/9 - Children, Families, Health and Human Services Committee Room 102

5/9 - Revenue Interim Committee Room 152

5/9 - Joint 9-1-1 and Public Safety Radio Advisory Room 172

5/10 - Revenue Interim Committee Room 152

Join us in Celebrating

Teacher Appreciation BBQ & Open House

Don't Mess With Our Kids Rally in Helena 

Budget & Education Working Group

The purpose of the working group is to gather information and offer feedback that will serve as a resource for the legislature when considering education funding for the 2025 Biennium Budget and 2025 Legislative Session.  OPI staff will provide a white paper and summary from the working group for the legislature. Over 170 Montana teachers, parents, taxpayers, school clerks, and superintendents from across the state submitted their names to be a part of the working group. Due to overwhelming interest, there will be seven breakout groups based on the areas of interest expressed on the application The first meeting will be held on April 24, 2024, at 7:00 PM via Zoom. Click HERE to find out more about the Budget & Education Working Group and the upcoming meetings.  For more information, please contact Katie Bloodgood, Legislative Liaison.

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds - ESSER

Reminder: ESSER III closes on September 30, 2024.  OPI is gathering 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 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, Superintendent Artnzen 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.

2024 Montana STEM Summer Institute

The 6th Annual STEM Summer Institute is a one-of-a-kind, Montana-made showcase for STEM integration across all grades and subject areas. You’ll enjoy exemplary K-12 STEM instruction and resources, inspiring national speakers, and the best of Montana! The interactive agenda is designed to help educators:

• PLAN STEM learning environments using tools, strategies, and models to motivate and encourage increased STEM integration in K-12 classrooms;
• IMPLEMENT ready-to-use, STEM-based projects through authentic, hands-on experiences to model and enable use of best practices for STEM teaching and learning;
• REIMAGINE STEM learning through whole-child approaches to give future STEM leaders a more well-rounded view of themselves and their communities

During the Institute you’ll discover how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics complement one another and combine to motivate powerful 21st century learning. Build a deeper understanding of STEM education by engaging in purposeful networking, attending demonstration sessions and mini-workshops, joining our evening social and networking event, and meeting our inspiring keynote speakers! ​

To register, click here. For presenter proposals, click here. For a sharable flyer, click here.

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 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, hosting a screening of Song for Charlie's New Drug Talk film  in their business or community, or helping others learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose . We also have a toolkit  for those who want to share information on social media. 

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. We would be willing to help any school with as much of the process as we 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] 

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.

OPI Press Releases

Superintendent Arntzen Releases Public School Report Card Data

Superintendent Arntzen Offers Update on the Budget and Education Working Group

Superintendent Arntzen Releases Embargoed School Report Card Data to Schools

Superintendent Arntzen's Statement on the Board of Public Education's Action Related to Public Charter School Implementation

Superintendent Arntzen to Host Community Discussions on Innovative Assessments

Superintendent Arntzen Announces Alternative Teacher Licensing Pathway

Superintendent Arntzen Releases 2022-2023 Graduation and Dropout Data

Superintendent Arntzen to Host Tenth Community Discussion on OPI’s Implementation of Legislation

Superintendent Arntzen Announces Opening of Student Mental Health Grant

Superintendent Arntzen Seek Members for New Budget and Education Working Group

Schoolyard Bullies in the Legislature

Superintendent Arntzen Celebrates Montana’s National Distinguished School Awardees

Superintendent Arntzen's Response to the Education Interim Budget Committee's Attack on the Great Work OPI Employees are Doing to Implement Legislation

Superintendent Arntzen Seeks Feedback on Economic Impact Statement for Mathematics State Content Standards Revisions

Superintendent Arntzen to Host Transformational Math Workshop with Dr. Jo Boaler

Superintendent Arntzen Offers Updates on Special Education Family Survey, SPED Advisory Panel, and Improving Outcomes for Students

Questions? Contact:  Katie Bloodgood, Legislative Liaison, (406)-594-3060

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.