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The CTE Unit will host three training and work sessions for Montana Career Pathways. A time to review the 24-25 courses and how they connect to the school district’s current or future pathways.
March 5- Class AA, A, B Schools 8:30-12:30
March 12- Class C Schools 8:30- 12:30
March 19- All Schools 11:30- 3:30
Register Here!
Career and Technical Education teachers, Career and Technical Student Organization advisors, students, and advocates convened at the State Capitol on February 2nd to engage with legislators and share their experiences in Career, Technical and Adult Education programs.
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Career and Technical Education teachers, Career and Technical Student Organization advisors, students, and advocates convened at the State Capitol on February 2nd to engage with legislators and share their experiences in Career, Technical and Adult Education programs.
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This event was organized and hosted by the Montana Association for Career and Technical Education (Montana ACTE). The organization is dedicated to providing leadership in the development of a well-educated, prepared, adaptable, innovative, and competitive workforce. They serve as the voice for Career, Technical and Adult Education.
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Montana ACTE aims to empower educators to deliver high-quality CTE programs that position all students for career success, providing educational leadership in building a competitive workforce.
Many students in Montana are actively enrolled in CTE programs, where they are developing essential technical, academic, and employability skills while participating in work-based experiences with industry partners. During the 2022-23 school year, Montana reported 36,586 secondary CTE participants and 8,975 postsecondary CTE participants.
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Students and adult learners enrolled in CTE programs demonstrate increased engagement, higher high school graduation rates, the attainment of industry-recognized credentials, and access to rewarding, family-sustaining careers. Students were able to participate in the governor's proclamation and signing for Montana Career and Technical Education Month.
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CTE programs throughout Montana are committed to ensuring that all learners have access to high-quality education in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand career fields.
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During this event students were able to connect with legislators and community members. Detailing what opportunities they have been involved in throughout their time in CTE programs. All three Helena area high schools hosted a lunch event where the food was prepared and served by Helena Family Consumer Sciences - Culinary programs. This event effectively highlighted the transferable skills participants have acquired through their programs, while also providing an enjoyable lunch for everyone involved.
Financial Education Resources: March 13 at 4:30.
Presenter: Karen Colgan - Everfi District Partnerships, Western Region
These Mini Modules are free for Montana ACTE members. Participants outside the organization will be charged $25. The webinar will be hosted via the OPI's CTAE Zoom Account and recorded. The link for the webinar will be sent to the email you list below.
Following completion of the Mini Module, you will receive an email with your OPI Renewal Unit Certificate, one credit for each hour.
Session Description: Breaking Barriers for Students through Financial Empowerment
Financial education at an early age can lead to a positive outlook and equips students with the resources they need to be successful. Do your students have the financial and business skills they need to thrive beyond the classroom? Educators in attendance will explore digital resources that focus on personal finance, taxes, entrepreneurship, investing, economics, and so much more. Attendees will explore simulations, problem solving activities, and offline extensions within each of the resources, and build a plan for classroom implementation. These resources are student-driven, standards-aligned, have assessments embedded into them, and are FREE. Additional information will be also be provided scholarship opportunities for students. Join us or visit www.everfi.com/k-12 to learn more.
Selected as one of six states to participate in the Early Adopter Cohort OPI will be working with OCHE and other partners to review our Career Clusters and Montana Career Pathways. Click the image to find out more.
The State CTE funding and 2026 Perkins Intent to Apply Survey is open until March 17. All High School Districts must complete the survey to receive State CTE funds and, or a Perkins Application.
Photo: Sandy Woldstad, Shae Bruursema, Jodi Gibson, Maddy Johnston, Governor Gianforte, Jill Baumgardner, Ava Krings, Megan Vincent
Members of the Montana Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Executive Council participated in the 2025 Rotunda Day on February 3 in Helena. In attendance were State President Jill Baumgardner (Harlowton FCCLA Chapter), State Vice President of Community Outreach, Ava Krings (Conrad FCCLA Chapter), State Vice President of Public Relations Jodi Gibson (Garfield County FCCLA Chapter), and State Vice President of Competitive Events Maddy Johnston (Fergus FCCLA Chapter), along with State Executive Council Coordinator Shae Bruursema and advisers Megan Vincent from the Fergus FCCLA chapter and Sandy Woldstad from the Harlowton FCCLA Chapter. The group represented FCCLA with a table in the Rotunda, as well as by distributing informative flyers and pens to legislators.
"I am so happy that I attended Rotunda Day! I hope that my time in the capitol made a lasting impact on the legislature, and encouraged them to learn more about CTSOs in Montana high schools," said Maddy Johnston, Montana FCCLA's State Vice-President of Competitive Events.
Jill Baumgardner, Montana FCCLA State President, also considered the experience to be a positive one. She had this to say about the event, "Rotunda day was an incredible experience spending a day with fellow students who valued CTE Education as much as myself and the other state officers in attendance. It was a great day representing FCCLA and also being able to talk to legislators who took time out of their day to make us feel heard and let us express the importance of CTE education. We had the opportunity to tour the capitol, meet with government officials to represent FCCLA, along with getting a chance to see senate and house hearings."
While at Helena, the group had the opportunity to meet with Governor Gianforte and discuss the importance of career and technical education and student involvement in career and technical student organizations, like FCCLA.
If you have any questions or need assistance, our team of specialists is available to support you.
 
We are seeking educators to participate in this year’s cohort as well as industry partners who would like to host them.
Educator Externships are a unique professional development opportunity where teachers are immersed in a company to learn about the skills and competencies needed to succeed in that industry or career path. The experience strengthens an educator’s teaching abilities and brings relevant, real-world context into the classroom. Externships are often transformative for educators, students, and industry partners. Impacting just one teacher allows a company to reach between 20-150 students each year.
Learn more here: https://wblmt.org/application/files/9317/3159/5327/WBL-Montana-Teacher-Externship-web.pdf
Pre-registration does not guarantee you an externship since there are limited spots available. You must pre-register and complete registration to be considered for the externship. Upon completion of the externship, you will be eligible to receive a stipend paid by the Montana Work-Based Learning Collaborative and up to 30 renewal units.
Stipends are available pending secured funding.
Deadline to register March 15th, 2025
Registration Link https://forms.gle/HDtbJxApEApsfszbA
Middle Level FCS “Unconference” Conference Held January 22nd.
Thirty-nine middle level Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) teachers took part in a fully virtual but live event which focused on building quality middle level programs. Five speakers shared information related to a variety of topics. The newly released middle level FCS standards were shared as well as how FCS is bringing career awareness and leadership development to middle level student to promote life and work success. Resources were shared through speakers including James Easton, Empowered--Montana Chamber, Mary Ellen Earnhardt, Career Lab—Department of Labor, Alyson McIntyre Reiger, Modernized Career Clusters--LEAD FCS Education, and Mary Heller—CTE and Academic Connections—Office of Public Instruction.
Tracey Eatherton, State Director—MT FCCLA shared how the FCCLA CTSO can support their FCS programs and Dr. Nicole Wanago, FCS Teacher Educator—Montana State University provided information to support their individual needs through professional organizations, networking, and MSU advanced learning opportunities. A highlight of the day were the “round tables” where select middle level FCS teachers shared activities and resources they have created to enhance student learning. Presenters included Lauren Vick—Power, Terron Torix—Broadview, Beth Schule, and Jenny Baker—Kalispell, and Karen Sprott—Helena.
Middle level Family and Consumer Sciences is highly qualified to address life literacy through real world applications as the concepts taught are foundational to developing personal effectiveness skills (as indicated by the US Dept of Labor). These skills are sometimes called career ready practices or employability skills and are foundational to the people centered careers which Family and Consumer Sciences targets through the Montana CTE pathway programs of study.
For more information, contact Gayla Randel, FCS Specialist, Montana Office of Public Instruction at gayla.randel@mt.gov
Below you can find information related to CTE Funding, Montana Career Pathways, Carl Perkins Grant and Data, State CTE Data, Work Based Learning and related topics. If you would like all of this information in one document you can reference that here
The information is also split into three different resources for more specific guidance. The linked documents are broken into three different categories; CTE Funding Guidance, CTE Montana Career Pathways, Montana Work Based Learning.
Montana Career Pathways were completed in the late fall this year and are now posted on our CTE page. Please review your pathways and you can find the current year documents here as well as previous year in this Google folder.
$$$ Final Allocation for FY 2025 and the FY2024 unobligated funds have been uploaded into E-grant.
ALL Programs will need to complete a Budget Amendment. If you have recently submitted an amendment they will be returned to update with the new allocation totals.
New Allocations are posted here.
To register for the Stock Market Game, go to the SMG web page, www.stockmarketgame.org, and click on the link in the upper right hand corner of the page labeled ‘Registration’. Follow the instructions to complete your registration.
Registration is Open for the Spring 2025 competition! With the support of Glacier Bank, we will feature new prizes for more students and more schools!
The Stock Market Game is a nine-week simulation in which students are given a hypothetical $100,000 to invest in the stock market.
Students must have at least five separate stocks and/or mutual funds at the end of the simulation, so research and diversification are crucial for success. Top state winners are given cash awards thanks to the generous sponsorship of Glacier Bancorp and its Montana family of banks.
To register for the Stock Market Game, go to the SMG web page, www.stockmarketgame.org, and click on the link in the upper right hand corner of the page labeled ‘Registration’. Follow the instructions to complete your registration.
Contact Dax Schieffer at mcee@montana.edu for further information.
Hosted by the SIFMA Foundation in collaboration with MCEE and Glacier Banks, this
competition has once again highlighted the importance of equipping our youth with
practical financial skills and knowledge. The Stock Market Game allows students to delve into the intricate world of stock trading by investing a virtual $100,000 in real-time stock markets. Through this experiential learning platform, students gain in valuable insights into economics, finance, and the dynamics of the financial markets.
Optional teacher professional development training will be offered via zoom with tips
and tools on teaching investing with teacher stipends sponsored by Visa and the Council for Economic Education.
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Spring Registration is Open! Compete for cash prizes for your students. The Montana Council for Economic Education, with support from the National Council for Economic Education, hosts the Economics Challenge Program each spring semester.
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The Challenge is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge of Economic Literacy by competing with other students across the state in online examinations. Student participants receive cash prizes, awards, and accolades.
Click here to Register!
There are two divisions in the Economics Challenge:
Adam Smith: For returning competitors, AP, IB, and honors students.
David Ricardo: For first-time competitors with no more than one course in economics.
How does the Economics Challenge work?
Timing: Registration is open now and students can test anytime following independent
course preparation. Testing must be completed by April 11, 2025 to compete for cash
prizes.
Who: MCEE would encourage any classroom teaching Intro or AP Economics to form
teams and complement their instruction with a chance to win cash prizes. It’s a low
commitment with a great pay-off.
There will be a cash prize for the top three teams in Montana:
• 1st Place: $500 per team
• 2nd Place: $250 per team
• 3rd Place: $100 per team
 For questions, please contact:
OPI CTE Unit General Questions
Shannon Boswell, Career Technical and Adult Education Director
Eric Tilleman, Agriculture Education Specialist
Jamie Corley, Health Sciences Education Specialist
Kaitlin Trutzel, Industrial Technology Education Specialist
Ethan Igo, Business Education Specialist
Gayla Randel, Family & Consumer Sciences Education Specialist
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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