OPI's December 2024 Compass

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

In window 1, an estimated 98% of students completed assigned ELA testlets (one literary and one informational) and 97% of students completed all assigned math testlets that were scheduled at the school level in alignment to local curriculum. 

The second scheduled MAST testing window opens on January 13, 2025, and will close on February 21, 2025. This statewide assessment for grades 3-8 in math and ELA during the 2024-2025 school year offers flexibility in test administration, provides timely feedback on student learning to enhance instructional practices and assesses students closer to the time when learning occurs. In addition to its instructional benefits, the MAST assessment meets federal testing requirements.

Score Reports

Educators receive weekly MAST score reports on completed and submitted student testlets, which serve as valuable tools for understanding students' academic strengths and areas for improvement. These reports offer insights into both individual and group performance in math and ELA, enabling teachers to tailor their instruction to address the unique needs of each student. For more information on interpreting or utilizing the MAST Student Score Report, navigate to the Score Report section of the MAST Portal. To date, over 28,000 parents statewide have portal access. 

ESSER Close-Out Process

In partnership with the district, the ESSER Team is closing out the ESSER Grant.  This process aims to ensure district documentation and processing comply with grant regulations and best accounting/grant management practices. 

Thank you to the districts who have already completed their full ESSER Closeout.  We greatly appreciate your working with us to ensure compliances are met!

OPI recognizes the hard work that everyone is doing to close out ESSER. The obligation period for ESSER III has ended. However, based on several factors, OPI has implemented an ESSER Grace Period allowing ESSER E-Grants description change only for Amendments and Cash Requests to be processed until November 30, 2024. The Final Expenditure Reports will then be due by December 10, 2024. This grace period is intended for continued work on ESSER during the closeout period.

ESSER Unspent Funds

If you have any unspent funds in ESSER I, II, or III please complete the ESSER Unspent Funds Authorization Google Form.

The applications for the Teacher Incentive Program, better known as the TEACH Act, are open through December 1, 2024, per § 20-9-324(3), MCA . The Teach Act was established during the 2021 legislative session to incentivize and enhance competitive base pay for early-career teachers. The 2024-2025 school year will be the fourth year for the TEACH Act. Districts must submit separate applications for each school, or Legal Entity, applying for the program.

Districts must complete the application for the Teacher Incentive Program funding to demonstrate:

• 2nd and 3rd class districts: Base pay equal to 10 times the Quality Educator Component amount for the application year.
• 1st class districts: Base pay requirements above and base pay not less than 70% of average teacher pay. 

A virtual training session for districts was held on October 8, 2024. Click here to view the training.

Important Reminder for Schools

Principals and Superintendents, please follow up with your teachers to ensure their licensing is up to date. All licensing and verifications must be complete by the December 1st deadline. This will impact the Quality Educator Component Payment.

If you have questions, please contact Laci Novark at (406) 444-4401, or Autumn Belmont at (406) 444-9852, or by email at opischoolfinance@mt.gov.

Exciting Opportunity: Join Montana’s AI Learning Cohort Starting January 16!

The Montana Office of Public Instruction is thrilled to announce the launch of our AI Learning Cohort, beginning January 16. This innovative learning opportunity is designed to empower educators to explore and harness the potential of artificial intelligence in education. Together, we’ll navigate practical applications, ethical considerations, and transformative possibilities to enhance teaching and learning.

If you’re interested in joining this learning journey, email hazel@modernlearners.com to secure your spot. Let’s learn together!

The Office of Public Instruction will be implementing new guidance for documentation supporting cash requests. After the 1st of the year OPI will be offering training to program staff and schools and will provide resources in multiple formats. Additional information will be included in the January Compass.

Recycle Montana will award $6,000 each to two high schools, high school groups or high school organizations that can build or purchase a recycling trailer or trailer to be used for recycling.

The 2025 EngineerGirl Writing Contest [engineergirl.org] opened in September. The theme this year is “Innovating Smarter” and we’re asking students to write a piece describing a common object they would make “smart” and tell us what it would do, how it would help people, and what could go wrong. The contest is open to all students, of any gender, in grades 3-12 and the deadline is February 1, 2025. The prize for first place in each of three grade categories is $1,000. There is also a note for educators [engineergirl.org] and tips for using the contest in a classroom [engineergirl.org] on the EngineerGirl website.

Unique Professional Development Program Celebrating 10th Anniversary 

Applications are now open for middle school science teachers nationwide to apply for a spot in the 2025 class of the National STEM Scholar Program, a unique professional development program providing advanced STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) training, national network building, and “big idea” project support for middle school teachers inspiring the next generation of STEM pioneers. 

Ten years ago, the National Stem Cell Foundation [nationalstemcellfoundation.org] and The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science [wku.edu] at Western Kentucky University (WKU) partnered to create the National STEM Scholar Program. The program selects 10 teachers each year from a national pool of applicants based solely on their description of a “big idea” Challenge Project they would implement in their classrooms if funds were available. In addition to a week of advanced STEM training and project development on the campus of WKU, each class spends a day with a nationally or internationally recognized STEM speaker. 

The program was established as a workforce development solution for an alarming shortage of U.S. STEM-educated graduates. Research shows that middle school students who get excited about science are the ones who will pursue STEM courses in high school and beyond. By focusing on the particularly influential middle school science teacher, it introduces STEM careers to students who may never have been exposed to the possibilities. Funded projects have included robotics labs, 3-D printing labs, rocketry programs, aquaponic farms, trout hatcheries and oyster reef restoration, among many others. 

There are currently 90 STEM Scholars representing middle schools in 35 states, from Hawaii to New York and Alaska to Florida. Each successful Scholar applicant receives the following: 

• Advanced STEM education and leadership training on the campus of WKU May 25 – May 31, 2025. All expenses – travel, lodging, meals – are included 
• A notebook/tablet (Chromebook or similar) to facilitate ongoing collaboration 
• A generous stipend for technology and supplies to implement a classroom Challenge Project 
• Sponsored attendance at the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) National Conference 

Applications are open now – click here [giftedwku.wufoo.com] to apply. 

About the National Stem Cell Foundation 

The National Stem Cell Foundation (NSCF) funds adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research, underwrites the National STEM Scholar Program for middle school science teachers nationwide inspiring the next generation of STEM pioneers, and covers copays and deductibles for children participating in clinical trials for rare diseases when those out-of-pocket costs are beyond a family’s means. We build 

partnerships and collaborations in research, education, and advocacy to solve problems, eliminate silos and maximize donor impact. For more information, visit www.nationalstemcellfoundation.org [nationalstemcellfoundation.org]. 

 About The Gatton Academy 

Established in 2007, The Gatton Academy [wku.edu] is Kentucky’s first residential two-year program for gifted and talented juniors and seniors. The Gatton Academy’s students enroll as juniors and are full-time WKU students pursuing their interests in advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Gatton Academy has been named to Jay Mathews’ list of top-performing schools with elite students for eleven consecutive appearances and received the National Consortium for Secondary STEM School’s Innovation Partnership Award. 

 Contact: 

National Stem Cell Foundation 

Heather Russell-Simmons 

Chief Program Officer 

502.379.8544 

press@nationalstemcellfoundation.org