Check out the Calendar of Events for our Unit's Weekly Office Hours, trainings, important deadlines, and more!
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For OPI Unit updates please click here.
Superintendent's Message
Please watch Superintendent Arntzen's Graduation Message.
Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST) Program
Superintendent Arntzen is proudly celebrating two successful years of the Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST) Pilot Program. The MAST pilot included over one-third, or 20,000 students in grades 3-8, and 200 schools across Montana. The through-year assessment, based on state content standards, is given four times a year to directly connect teaching to the learning of the skill. This program aims to accurately represent the unique needs of Montana students and teachers while providing flexibility.
During the 2024-2025 school year, the MAST program will be used as the federally required student assessment for Math and English Language Arts in grades 3-8. There will be four scheduled testing windows during the school year:
- Window 1: October 14 – November 22, 2024
- Window 2: January 13 – February 21, 2025
- Window 3: March 24 – May 2, 2025
- Window 4: May 5 – May 23, 2025
For more information, contact Tressa Graveley, Assessment Specialist, or click here.
Invitation to Participate in Virtual Meetings on MAST Score Reports
In collaboration with the Center for Assessment, the OPI is seeking teachers and instructional leaders from schools that piloted the Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST) assessment during the 2023-2024 school year to participate in virtual meetings aimed at gathering valuable insights on reading and using MAST score reports.
One-hour virtual sessions will be held throughout the month of June. As a token of our appreciation, gift cards will be provided to participants.
Your feedback will be instrumental in improving the usability and effectiveness of MAST score reports. If you are interested in participating, please contact Assessment Director Cedar Rose at cedar.rose@mt.gov or 406-444-0733.
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Virtual Office Hours for Superintendents
OPI will continue holding Virtual Office Hours for Superintendents every Wednesday at 10:00 AM throughout the summer months. To join the Zoom meeting, click here.
During June Ashley Perez, Senior Data Operations Manager, will present:
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June 5 - Data Modernization Update and Updated Timeline
- June 12 - Data Collections
- June 19 - Unified Insights
- June 26 - Accountability; How your data is used and the federal reporting process
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Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER)
ESSER Close-Out Process will begin in June, contact Kimberly Kelly at kimberly.kelly@mt.gov or (406) 594-9295 to schedule an appointment. Note this process is different than the E-Grants Final Expenditure Report (FER). It includes a full review of ESSER I, II & III Budget Pages and other relevant documentation. Please complete a Return Funds form if you are returning awarded funds for any reason.
The ESSER team holds open office hours 6 days a week via Zoom, phone, email, text, and in-person to offer support to school districts.
Remember ESSER III deadline is on September 30, 2024.
The state-wide ESSER allocation through May 29, 2024, is:
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For more information on ESSER please click here or contact Wendi Fawns at wendi.fawns@mt.gov or 406-437-8595.
Teacher Residency Program Recruitment
Superintendent Arntzen is accepting residency and district applications for the third year of the Montana Teacher Residency Program. The Residency program is a one-year paid student teaching experience during the final year of undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or master’s studies for education majors. Residents will be paired with a teacher-leader, and receive a stipend, district-provided housing, and partial tuition support. Resident teachers will also commit to teaching in a Montana school district for a minimum of three years. Those interested in becoming a resident can apply here. Districts interested in hosting a resident can apply here.
To date, 8 residents in 8 school districts have been placed for the 2024-2025 school year, with more placements pending:
- 12 residents are awaiting lead teacher confirmations
- 15 residents are awaiting placements
- A total of 35 Residents are committed to the program and approved by their Educator Preparation Program
During the first two years of the residency program, 40 residents were placed in 20 Montana school districts.
For more details and any questions, please contact Krystal Smith, OPI Operations Manager, 406-249-0758.
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Education Savings Account - ESA
The Montana Special Needs Equal Opportunity Education Savings Account (ESA) program is a reimbursement program for parents of a child with a disability. The purpose of this program is to provide flexibility for parents in their child’s education. Applications have been submitted, and upon a completed contract, eligible families may start to request reimbursement directly to the OPI for eligible expenses.
Schools leaders, please note that the OPI will notify school districts of any qualified students who are participating in this program by August 1, 2024. OPI will provide guidance to schools on how to reconcile accounts with the OPI for any eligible students.
OPI's proposed Administrative Rules for ESA are available here. There are opportunities for public comment:
For more information, visit the ESA webpage or contact the ESA Program Specialist, Whitney Williams, 406-444-3408.
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Budget and Education Working Group
The second round of the Budget and Education Working Group (BEWG) meetings were held on May 20-23, 2024. The third round of meetings will be held from June 24-27, 2024. The meetings will be held in seven small virtual group sessions via Zoom. The purpose is to gather information from the community 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 Montanans signed up to be part of the working group and over 100 people participated in the first meeting. The schedule for the meetings is:
- Meeting dates and times for Group A: Special needs students and programs
- Monday, May 20, 5:30pm | Agenda | Recording |
- Monday, June 24, 5:30pm
- Monday, July 22, 5:30pm
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Zoom Link for all Meetings.
- Meeting dates and times for Group B: Teacher pay, retention, & recruitment
- Monday, May 20, 7:00pm | Agenda | Recording |
- Monday, June 24, 7:00pm
- Monday, July 22, 7:00pm
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Zoom Link for all Meetings.
- Meeting dates and times for Group C: Rural, population, & culture
- Tuesday, May 21, 5:30pm | Agenda | Recording |
- Tuesday, June 25, 5:30pm
- Tuesday, July 23, 5:30pm
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Zoom Link for all Meetings.
- Meeting dates and times for Group D: Sustainability & tax burden
- Tuesday, May 21, 7:00pm | Agenda | Recording |
- Tuesday, June 25, 7:00pm
- Tuesday, July 23, 7:00pm
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Zoom Link for all Meetings.
- Meeting dates and times for Group E: Programs & curriculum
- Wednesday, May 22, 5:30pm | Agenda | Recording |
- Wednesday, June 26, 5:30pm
- Wednesday, July 24, 5:30pm
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Zoom Link for all Meetings.
- Meeting dates and times for Group F: Funding formula
- Wednesday, May 22, 7:00pm | Agenda | Recording |
- Wednesday, June 26, 7:00pm
- Wednesday, July 24, 7:00pm
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Zoom Link for all Meetings.
- Meeting dates and times for Group G: School budgeting
- Thursday, May 23, 5:30pm | Agenda | Recording |
- Thursday, June 27, 5:30pm
- Thursday, July 25, 5:30pm
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Zoom Link for all Meetings
OPI held 7 small group meetings last week. This months’ discussion focused on identifying challenges facing education in the Working Group members’ communities. The upcoming meetings will center on discussing proposed solutions to these identified problems. Some of the most discussed topics included:
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Teacher recruitment & retention: What can be done to recruit new teachers and have them stay in Montana; increase teacher pay to be tied to cost of living; concerns about the cost of healthcare & housing.
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Inflation pressures: All good and services are costing more for schools but increases in funding do not mirror the increases in inflation; utilities and insurance costs have increased; costs to maintain building and facilities has increased substantially- lots of deferred maintenance.
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ANB funding formula: Funding for schools is too focused on student enrollment; there should be a focus on the number of teachers and staff needed for the school not the number of students.
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Special Education: Hard to find qualified teachers; funding does not adequately take into account the amount of services kids need; demand for special education services has increased.
For more information, please contact Katie Bloodgood, Legislative Liaison, at katherine.bloodgood@mt.gov or 406-444-2082.
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Invitation to Pilot Comprehensive Local Assessment Review
In collaboration with the Office of Public Instruction (OPI), the Center for Assessment has developed a Comprehensive Local Assessment Review. This tool is designed to help districts analyze their current assessment systems, including the Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST) assessment for grades 3-8. The review aims to support districts in identifying, evaluating, and optimizing their comprehensive assessment systems.
Before the review is publicly released in August, we are seeking district leaders to pilot this tool. Your participation will help refine the review process and ensure its effectiveness for all districts.
If you are interested in collaborating with the Center for Assessment to evaluate your district’s assessment landscape, please contact OPI Assessment Director Cedar Rose at cedar.rose@mt.gov or 406-444-0733.
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School Safety Professional Development Grant
The School Safety Professional Development Grant (SSPDG) opens at 10:00 AM on June 3, 2024.
Montana's Legislature passed HB 601 (2019) and HB 2 (2023) to provide funds to school districts to support school safety professional development. The OPI will administer school safety grant funds with $100,000 awarded each school year.
- This grant provides $1,000 to $10,000 to a Montana school district to support school safety professional development pursuant to HB 601.
- Grant applications for allowable activities will be approved in the order in which they are received, with priority being given to school districts who have not yet received an award for this opportunity.
- Please review the 2024-2025 Grant Application Instructions prior to the submitting your grant to prepare your narrative and budget documents.
Grant Reporting:
- For state Fiscal Year 2025 grantees, after the professional development activities have been concluded, submit the School Safety PD Reporting Form and a final expenditure report to Bran Patterson. All professional development activities should occur by June 30, 2025 with both reports due by July 15, 2025.
- For state Fiscal Year 2024 grantees, after the professional development activities have been concluded, submit the School Safety PD Reporting Form and a final expenditure report to Brian Patterson. All professional development activities should occur by June 30, 2024 with both reports due by July 15, 2024.
To apply, visit the SSPDG website.
For more information, please contact Brian Patterson, School Safety Program Manager, 406-594-0059.
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Discovery Education and DreamBox
DreamBox Math and Reading Programs K-12
ALL Montana Districts have access to OPI provided (FREE) DreamBox Math and Reading Programs K-12 for the 2024-2025 school year!
In August, District Administrators will receive an email with directions on how to roster teachers and students for each adaptive, personalized program. Once your schools are rostered, you can schedule FREE PD at your convenience (summer and fall PIR sessions are filling up quickly). If you have any questions, schedule time to learn more here.
SAVE THE DATE: Days of Discovery
We are happy to announce TWO amazing days of FREE professional development for Discovery Education Experience and DreamBox Learning Math and Reading.
- Miles City – August 6th
- Helena – August 8th
Both events are scheduled for 8:00 am – 4:00pm.
Lunch and snacks are provided. OPI Renewal Units Available.
To register, click here.
Check out Discovery Education for more information, or reach out directly to your dedicated PD Specialist, Natalee Hawks at nhawks@discoveryed.com.
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17 Public Charter Schools to Open in Fall 2024
The Board of Public Education approved 19 Public Charter Schools applications in January. Two of these schools are planning to open in the fall of 2025: Bozeman Charter School and Boulder Jefferson Academy.
Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools
As the school year ends, Special Olympics Montana would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to all of this year’s Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools and UCS school liaisons for their support in promoting acceptance and inclusion of those with intellectual disabilities within Montana’s schools and communities. Thanks for all you do!
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2023-2024 school year by the numbers:
- 130 Unified Champion Schools
- 126 Young Athletes coaches trained this school year with 25 sites and over 1,400 student participants statewide
- 41 schools participated in Unified Young Readers
- 37 schools requested Spread the Word resources and support materials for respect weeks, inclusion rallies and other Spread the Word events
- 21 high schools participated in MHSA Unified Track with 84 athletes and 113 unified partners
2023-2024 Recognitions:
- East Middle School in Butte was recognized as a Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools National Banner and ESPN Honor Roll School
- Carroll College placed 3rd in the Special Olympics College Championship Week
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Interested in learning how your district/school can be involved as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School for the 2024-2025 school year? Contact Terri Norman, UCS Senior Director at tnorman@somt.org.
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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
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
School Finance
School Nutrition
Special Education
Standards, Instruction & Professional Learning
Title & Federal Programs
Traffic Education
Transformational Learning & Advanced Opportunities
Tribal Relations & Resiliency
Outside Opportunities
Community Needs Assessment Survey from the Governor's Office Of Community Service
The Governor’s Office of Community Service (ServeMontana) works to expand national service and promote community volunteerism to support critical needs in communities across our great state. ServeMontana needs your help getting a Community Needs Assessment to as many Montanans as possible. The online assessment solicits input on where AmeriCorps service is most needed and can have the most impact; it is quick, anonymous, and accessible: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/servemtcna.
ServeMontana will use this important input to develop the 2025-2027 State Service Plan, ensuring Montana’s national service resources are positioned to meet the most pressing needs in the Big Sky State. To request a paper copy or to ask any questions, please reach out to us at serve@mt.gov or (406) 444-9077.
Interested persons can also access the survey using the QR code in the image below.
Thank you very much for your input and for sharing this opportunity with our fellow Montanans!
MonTECH Presents their Sixth Annual AAC conference
MonTECH presents their sixth annual AAC conference, MontCOMM '24, coming August 9th! MonTECH is Montana's free equipment library and training resource for assistive technology and adaptive equipment. A vital component of MonTECH's mission to support independence, MontCOMM is a one-day event focused on building our state's capacity to support Montanans who are nonspeaking or struggle to speak.
This year's presenters are Lauren Enders Gonzales and Brenda Del Monte, nationally renowned experts in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Sessions include: AAC and Autism, AAC and Complex Bodies, Empowering Communication Partners, and Basics of AAC Evals.
OPI credits have been approved. Scholarships for educators, paraprofessionals, and SLPs and OTs working in the public-school system are pending. Registration costs are low and have not increased since MontCOMM began in 2019: $100 for CEUs, $50 if CEUs are not needed. The conference boasts a quality remote-attendance option in addition to the in-person event in Missoula. Learn more and register: MontCOMM '24: - MonTECH (umt.edu) [montech.ruralinstitute.umt.edu]
Life in the Land: Connecting People & Place in Montana
Life in the Land is a series of six films and over 40 podcast episodes that elevate the value of community-guided and collaborative approaches in Montana's rural communities. Hear from community leaders, ranchers, biologists, and more, as they show the connection between community well-being, landscape health, strong economies, and more. Find the full project at www.LifeintheLand.org [lifeintheland.org]. Featured regions include the Central Montana Plains, the Big Hole Valley, Seeley-Swan Region, Blackfeet Nation, the Mighty Few District of the Crow Nation, and the Upper Yellowstone River.
This content touches on the following subjects: Social Studies, History, Civic Engagement & Democracy, Science & Environment, Agriculture, Engineering, Community Development, Language Arts, Native Culture & Society, and more. All content is free and available to be utilized in classrooms to kick-off deeper dialogue around the mentioned topics. The podcast episodes that accompany the films are found on the Stories for Action podcast series [lifeintheland.org], and are a great format for take-home assignments, allowing students to take a deeper dive into a specific topic.
The Life in the Land team can provide a free Lesson Plan to accompany any of the films. We also offer residencies or school visits, hosted by Project Director & filmmaker Lara Tomov [storiesforaction.org] or other Life in the Land team members. These residencies can be customized for the group and location, but can include: technical support for a film screening, a facilitated discussion after the film, and a Story Workshop. These workshops include elevating the student's own story or experience through various mediums, from verbal to written to film, as well as entry level training of film production, to include hands-on camera, audio, and lighting training. If you would like to utilize this project in your classroom or inquire about a residency, please reach out to Lara Tomov at info@storiesforaction.org.
Life in the Land is produced by Stories for Action [storiesforaction.org], Iron Shield Creative [ironshieldcreative.com], and other statewide partners [lifeintheland.org] including watershed group leaders, ranchers, and education professionals.
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2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Renew America’s Schools team within the Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) is dedicated to helping school communities make infrastructure upgrades that will decrease energy use and costs, improve indoor air quality, and foster healthier learning environments. The 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize [herox.com] is a 3-phase, $180 million opportunity to help K-12 public school districts across America build capacity, perform energy audits, and plan/implement energy improvement projects across a portfolio of school facilities. The 2024 Prize will focus on schools that serve disadvantaged communities, including those with a high percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch.
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American Exchange Project
Opportunities for High School Psychology Teachers
APA 2024 Workshop for High School Psychology Teachers
TOPSS invites you to attend an APA 2024 Workshop for High School Psychology Teachers [apa.org], to be held Wednesday, August 7 in Seattle, Washington.
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Topics: Delivering a high-quality psychology course by infusing research into the course; challenging teaching topics; and TOPSS resources.
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Presenters: Allyn Olsen of Hilltop High School (CA) and Scott Reed of Hamilton High School (AZ; retired).
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Keynote speaker: David Myers, PhD, of Hope College, will present an address on “Misinformation and Education in a Post-Truth Age.”
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Registration: $35 for any APA teacher affiliate (TOPSS member) or APA member, and $45 for all others. This includes coffee, lunch, and workshop materials. Registration for this workshop is separate from APA 2024 registration. The registration deadline is July 15, 2024. Teachers can register for the workshop online. [apa.org]
APA 2024: Seattle, Washington, August 8-10
APA 2024 [convention.apa.org] will provide hundreds of hours of programming on all subfields of psychological science and countless programs will be of interest to teachers. If you are unable to attend in person, there is a virtual option that includes access to select events.
TOPSS Invited APA 2024 Speakers
- Randal M. Ernst Lecture: Disability as a DEI Concern for Teaching: Informing Your Students and Peers, with Dana S. Dunn, PhD, Moravian University
- Lee Gurel Lecture: See No Evil: Fostering Optimal Study Strategies in a World of Technological Distractions, with Regan A.R. Gurung, PhD, Oregon State University
- Empowering Youth of Color: Applying the School Trauma and Racial Stress Blueprint, with Erlanger A. Turner, PhD, Pepperdine University
TOPSS members receive the lowest APA registration rates [convention.apa.org]. Early bird registration goes through May 31.
Other Upcoming Opportunities
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TOPSS Committee call for nominations [apa.org]: In 2024, TOPSS members will elect one chair-elect and one member-at-large. The nomination deadline for potential candidates is July 1. In an effort to broaden the representation of the TOPSS community on the Committee in 2024, TOPSS is particularly interested in member-at-large candidates who teach outside of the United States, have experience teaching on-level psychology, and/or are early career teachers within their first 10 years of teaching.
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APF High School Psychology Outreach Grants [apa.org]: APF has made $10,000 available to support regional teaching networks. The deadlines are July 1 and November 1.
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Submit a pacing calendar to TOPSS [apa.org]: Submit a pacing calendar aligned to the 2022 National Standards [apa.org] by July 15 for consideration to be shared on the TOPSS website. Our goal is to gather samples that reflect different types of course scheduling (e.g., traditional, block schedule, and trimester; one semester and full year), for on-level, AP, and IB psychology courses. You can email your pacing calendar to TOPSS.
For other materials for high school psychology teachers, please visit the TOPSS website [apa.org]. Please contact TOPSS with any questions, suggestions or concerns you may have.
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.
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