ELA
The Negotiated Rulemaking Committee has completed its work revising the English Language Arts (ELA) and Literacy Content Standards. The committee began the standards review process on January 6-8, 2025, meeting in person in Helena for Sessions 1, 2, and 3 and virtually for sessions 4-5 on January 30-31, and virtually for session 6 on February 28. Recordings, agendas, and meeting minutes for all sessions can be found on the ELA Standards Revisions Webpage.
Check out the Montana ELA & Literacy Standards Revision Overview one-pager for an overview of the proposed revisions!
OPI will present the proposed standards at March’s MACIE meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, March 25 from 1:00-5:00 pm. After review by Superintendent Hedalen, the proposed standards will be proposed to the Board of Public Education (BPE) for adoption.
More information can be found on the OPI’s ELA Standards Revisions Webpage.
ELA Economic Impact Statement
As part of the standards update process, an Economic Impact Statement must be created and presented to the Montana legislature in partnership with the BPE. To determine the potential financial impact of the proposed ELA standards on school districts, the OPI is seeking your critical input.
Please consider completing this Economic Impact Survey by April 13, 2025. Within the survey, you will find a comprehensive overview of the proposed revisions. Completing the survey and reviewing the proposals will take approximately 30 minutes.
Thank you in advance for your time and input. Should you have any questions, please contact Marie Judisch, Senior Manager of Teaching and Learning.
More information can be found on the OPI’s ELA Standards Revisions Webpage.
Math
The Board of Public Education has determined that more time should be allotted for district implementation of the new math standards. The new implementation date is July 2026!
Professional learning is ongoing! Keep an eye out for opportunities at conferences and on the mathematics revision webpage to learn more about the new standards.
Guidance is being developed as we speak. To stay informed, visit the mathematics revision webpage. All published guidance documents will be visible on this page as they become available.
Professional Development Requests
Fill out the PD Request Form to request specialized professional development from the Standards, Instruction, and Professional Learning Team at OPI (expected time: 10-12 minutes). This request form serves as an opportunity for school districts to communicate their needs for additional professional development opportunities in the area of K-12 Education.
Once a request is submitted, OPI's Standards, Instruction, and Professional Learning Team will review the request and consider the next steps. Follow-up communication will be had directly with the party submitting this form unless otherwise indicated. If this request is being made less than thirty days from the requested professional development day, please understand that there is a small chance our specialists will be available.
Professional Development News
Exciting News: OPI Learning Opportunities Portal!
The OPI Learning Opportunities Portal was designed to create a one-stop hub for professional development opportunities available to educators across Montana. This platform brings together workshops, training sessions, and events from the OPI as well as a variety of other professional learning providers from around the state.
Since its launch, the portal has become an invaluable resource for connecting educators with the development opportunities they need. We invite administrators, school staff, and external providers to share their upcoming events on the portal, helping to consolidate all available resources in one easy-to-access location. We also encourage you to share this information with your educators, ensuring they have the opportunity to explore and take advantage of the many professional learning opportunities available to them.
Explore the portal here: OPI Learning Opportunities Portal
MAST Updates
Summer Institute Sessions
The following sessions are planned for OPI’s Summer Institute from June 16-19 at Montana State University in Bozeman.
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MAST Technical Support: New to MAST: This dynamic and hands-on session will equip school testing coordinators with the technical skills and knowledge to manage MAST processes effectively.
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MAST Curriculum Alignment and Scheduler: This engaging and collaborative session is designed to support teachers, curriculum directors, and School Testing Coordinators in reflecting on and refining their processes for aligning math curriculum.
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MAST Score Reports and Next Steps: This insightful and practical session will guide attendees in accessing, interpreting, and utilizing MAST Score Reports to support student learning.
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MAST 101: This introductory session is designed for educators new to MAST or those looking to deepen their understanding of the assessment system.
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MAST Instruction: Proficiency-Based Learning Models: This in-depth session explores the key elements of Proficiency-Based Learning Models and how they can transform instruction and student outcomes.
Virtual Professional Learning Sessions
Join the Assessment team for 2025 MAST-Aligned Instructional Professional Learning on Mondays from 4:00-5:00 pm.
MAST Office Hours take place from 8:00-9:00 am every first Tuesday and 3:00-4:00 pm every third Thursday of the month.
The mission of the Last Best Learning Podcast is to deliver digestible and relevant professional learning that honors educators’ capacity in an increasingly busy world.
We believe that our state’s educators empower minds, elevate futures, and inspire self-discovery - and we walk beside them.
We invite you to join us in this innovative approach to professional development, tailored to address the unique challenges faced by educators in Montana's ever-changing educational landscape. At the end of each month, the podcast will be uploaded to the K-12 Content Standards webpage.
Coming Soon
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Ep. 8 - Data Matters: Protecting Student Privacy in a Digital Age, with special guests Cathleen Kuchera, West Valley School District and Kiki Moses, Cayuse Prairie School District
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Ep. 9 - "Learning is Human:" AI in Education, with special guests Jason Neiffer and Connor Mulvaney
Previous Episodes
Math
March’s volume of the MT Math Minute is live and ready to view! Each month, our Math Coordinator compiles relevant features, classroom resources, IEFA implementation ideas, and sometimes, teacher spotlights! This month’s edition covers a special feature on exploring the Spring Equinox mathematically, digging deeper into proposed mathematical practice standard #5, upcoming professional learning events, grant opportunities and more classroom resources!
Our Math Coordinator has been developing a series of resources designed for educators to delve into new mathematical practices. Each video will focus on one practice standard, highlighting the key differences between the 2011 and 2026 math practice standards. We will define student behaviors that exemplify each practice and provide clarity on effective learning tasks and teaching strategies that foster engagement with these practices.
Four episodes are now available and each comes with an accompanying facilitator guide to help you explore how to leverage these for professional learning. New episodes of the series will be released monthly on the Mathematics Revision Webpage.
EPISODE 1: Montana Mathematical Practice #1: Problem Solve and PersevereMP #1 Facilitator Guide
EPISODE 2: Montana Mathematical Practice #2: Abstract and GeneralizeMP#2 Facilitator Guide
EPISODE 3: Montana Mathematical Practice #3: Justify and Prove MP#3 Facilitator Guide
EPISODE 4: Montana Mathematical Practice #4: Model with Mathematics MP#4 Facilitator Guide
EPISODE 5: Montana Mathematical Practice #5: Represent
COMING SOON!
April: Mathematical Practice #6: Collaborate
May: Mathematical Practice #7: Mathematically Connect
Fall 2025: Teacher Learning Hub Course
MCTM Annual Math Contest
MCTM will be hosting its annual regional math contests this spring! This contest provides an opportunity for students to showcase their mathematical prowess in individual and team competitions with opportunities to win door prizes, competitive prizes, and even scholarships!
Check out the MCTM Math Contest Website or the Contest Site Page to learn more or to find out how you can register your students!
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