 OPI Summer Institute June 15-18, 2026
MSU Campus - Bozeman, MT
Registration opens March 26, 2026.
Schedule and link to registration will be posted on the OPI SI 2026 webpage.
MONDAY, JUNE 15 KEYNOTE:
Dr. Jason Neiffer | Montana Digital Academy
Keynote: A Cast of Thousands: Reconsidering the Role of Expertise in an AI-Dominated World
Workshop: Making Sense of the Noise: Using NotebookLM for Professional Thinking
 TUESDAY, JUNE 16 KEYNOTE:
Susie Hedalen, State Superintendent & José Muñoz Education Commission of the State President and Special Guests ECS Commissioners
 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 KEYNOTE:
Dr. John Sommers Flanagan, UM CAPE
Keynote: How to Grow Well-Being in Teachers and in Schools
Workshop: An Introduction to Strengths-Based Suicide Assessment
 Photo by Kevin League Fine Art Photography
Montana Special Education Joint Partnership Meeting
April 29, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM | Helena, MT
Join your colleagues and OPI partners to collaborate, network, and share how we are all working together to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.
Please RSVP to join us for the upcoming Annual Special Education Joint Partnership Meeting.
Questions, contact Tammy Lysons, 406-431-2309.
April 25, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
April 26, 2026 | 9:30 AM -10:30 AM
Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) is a non-profit organization of professionals dedicated to promoting safe, independent driving or community mobility for those with disabilities and the aging.
Held as a pre-conference workshop, prior to annual MT Traffic Education conference, this full-day, 7-hour educational program is designed for driver educators seeking to expand their knowledge and skills in service to novice drivers with disabilities. The scope of the presentation will include a 1-hour Q&A session the following day, April 26, for deeper engagement and clarification.
The pre-conference workshop being offered is a separate fee from the regular conference registration. Only 14 spots remaining. You can Register anytime before April 10th.
For questions and registration help, contact the OPI Traffic Education Office at:
(406)444-4432 or email leann.haas@mt.gov
2026 Montana Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC) Conference | Bozeman, MT | April 8-9, 2026
OPI Sessions:
- CSPD Awards:Teacher/Paraeducator Team of the Year and Teri Fisk Paraeducator of the Year
- Writing and Implementing Neuroinclusive BSPs, Shanell Latta, OPI MAEP
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Executive Function Tools That Actually Work: Zero-Prep Strategies for Real Students in Real Classrooms, Shanell Latta, OPI MAEP
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Explore the New "Montana Postsecondary Transition Resource Guide" and Discover How It Can Serve as a Valuable Tool, Montana Secondary Transition Partnership Team
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Brain and Behavior for Twice Exceptional (2e) Kids: Understanding and Supporting Gifted Students with Disabilities, Jenny Jarvis, OPI
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OPI Special Education Leadership, Danni McCarthy & OPI Staff
The full schedule for MCEC is posted online at www.montanacec.org.
Local District Recognition of Paraeducators
In April, in coordination with our CSPD Awards at MCEC, we encourage schools and cooperatives to recognize the outstanding work of their paraeducators.
Please email Tammy Lysons for Fillable PDF copy of the 2025-26 Paraeducator Recognition Certificate signed by Superintendent Hedalen so you can recognize the outstanding contribution of paraeducators in your building.
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Special Education Paraprofessionals:
Find more information the Para Pathways Project on our website. For any questions regarding the program, please contact DCCParaPathways@dawson.edu or Anne.Carpenter2@mt.gov.
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Overview of Local School District Early Childhood Special Education Requirements
Presented by Lucy Beltz, OPI
Overview of Local School District Early Childhood Special Education Requirements (Virtual Option)
Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 4:00 - 6:00 PM | VIRTUAL
- Please register before joining the Zoom Meeting.
Overview of Local School District Early Childhood Special Education Requirements
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Great Falls Public Library, 301 2nd Ave N, Great Falls (Small Conference Room)
Audience: IEP team members for preschool children ages 3-5
- School district/Co-op early childhood special education teachers and administrators
- School district regular early childhood education teachers
- School district/Co-op related service providers
- Part C early intervention providers
- Head Start disability services coordinator
- Private/nonprofit preschool, child care teachers/directors
- Families
The session provides a general overview of local school district early childhood special education requirements including transition from Part C to Part B, preschool environments, and child outcomes. Together indicator data will be reviewed and guided questions discussed to improve practices when serving children with disabilities ages 3-5.
Objectives
- Review requirements for transition from Part C to Part B, preschool environments, and child outcomes.
- Review resources available on the OPI website.
- Review and discuss early childhood special education indicator data.
Questions about Early Childhood Special Education or this training, contact Lucy Beltz at OPI.
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Presented by Tanya Peshovich
Wednesdays: April 15, 22, 29, and May 6, 2026
4:00-6:00 PM | VIRTUAL
This interactive four-part training with Side-by-Side consultant and dyslexia specialist Tanya Peshovich introduces educators to dyslexia, its impact on learning, and the instructional approaches that ensure reading success for all students, including those most at risk. Participants will learn how dyslexia is defined, explore its common characteristics, and understand how phonological processing difficulties affect reading and writing development. A structured literacy approach will be clearly defined, with examples of explicit, systematic, evidence-based practices that support students with dyslexia while strengthening Tier 1 instruction for all learners. The training will also review the Montana Dyslexia Law and its implications for schools and educators.
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Presented by Becky Berg
Friday, April 17, 2026 | 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Prairie View Special Services, Glendive, MT
This workshop introduces educators to the theory,structure and focus of Number Talks. Participants will learn how Number Talks can be a valuable classroom routine in which students are making sense of mathematics, developing efficient computation strategies, and communicating their reasoning and solutions. Participants will learn the key components of Number Talks and understand the importance of each. Throughout the day, we will learn how to scribe student strategies that emphasize the important mathematical ideas.
This training is directly related to improving computational fluency and number sense.
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Presented by Kari Tarter, UM Rural Institute, Public School Specialist
Monday, April 27, 2026 | 4:00 - 6:00 PM | VIRTUAL
Kari Tarter from the UM Rural Institute will present on Transition assessment being more than an IDEA requirement — it is the foundation of strong, student-centered transition planning. This interactive session will examine the purpose of transition assessment, what information teams must gather before selecting tools, and how to align assessments with students’ strengths, interests, and postsecondary goals. Participants will explore assessment options for students with complex or significant disabilities, review concrete examples of how results translate into measurable transition IEP components, and practice selecting age-appropriate assessments through case studies. The session will conclude with a review of the assessment guidance from the regional postsecondary transition resource guides, ensuring participants leave with practical tools to support meaningful postsecondary planning.
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FREE REGISTRATION | APRIL 16, 17, & 18, 2026 | Missoula, MT
The University of Montana’s Institute for Early Childhood Education Annual Summit convenes a diverse array of voices and stories, uniting professionals who work with or on behalf of young children and families across Montana and the broader region. This three-day event is designed to be responsive to the unique needs of Montana's communities and features a dynamic agenda, including a keynote address, awards celebration, expert panels, and professional development opportunities. With a strong emphasis on research, demonstration, and community outreach, the summit serves as a vital platform for collaboration, innovation, and sharing best practices to improve outcomes for young children and their families.
Training and Assessment Systems for K-12 Educational Interpreters (TASK12)
Training and Assessment Systems for K-12 Educational Interpreters (TASK12) is a multi-state assessment program designed to support sign language interpreters in educational settings. In partnership with OPI and the center for Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education (TAESE), we endeavor to provide educational interpreters an opportunity to evaluate and improve their skills. Registration opens March 15th. Please contact Lucy Beltz to see if you are eligible for a voucher for EIPA assessment fees. OPI will provide a voucher to those eligible.
Dates set for 2026 EIPA Assessment:
Great Falls, MT (Written Test)
MSDB | May 1, 2026
Great Falls, MT
MSDB | May 2-3, 2026
For districts demonstrating that they already have a functional MTSS framework in place, OPI will offer coaching and stipends for Tier 3 Intensive Interventions and Data-based Individualization (DBI). This work will also include training on high-quality and person-centered IEPs through the DBI connection.
Watch for the application, available in early April on the OPI MTSS website. The application will be due in early May.
You can also contact Jenny Jarvis or Tammy Lysons if your district would like additional information.
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"EMPOWER HOUR" Spring Webinar Series
REGISTER HERE: Eventbrite link
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Wednesday, April 15 @ 12:00pm Executive Function and Behaviors - Carla Miller, PhD, South Dakota Parent Connection
How executive function skills affect children's behavior and daily challenges. You will learn simple, practical strategies to support regulation, organization and positive behavior.
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Wednesday, May 13 @ 12:00pm Financial Trusts and MATL Loans - Melissa Hoffman, RDI Financial
Learn about financial trusts and low interest loans for assistive equipment.
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This targeted professional learning series equips special education leaders with practical strategies to support students with low incidence disabilities. Explore specialized instructional practices, inclusive programming, assistive technology, and compliance considerations to strengthen systems of support and improve student outcomes. Ideal for district and school teams committed to meaningful access, inclusion, and student-centered planning.
The FREE virtual series is offered from 11:00-12:00 (Mountain Time) on the following Fridays and will also be recorded. *Registration closes 2 days before each session.
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March 27, 2026 | Providing an Appropriate and Accessible classroom Experience for Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities
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April 3, 2026 | Building and Leading Teams to Support Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities
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April 10, 2026 | Putting a Program in Place for Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities
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Applications for the 2026 Community Investment Fund are now being accepted!
The Community Investment Fund is for projects that help people with disabilities live, learn, work, and play in their communities alongside people without disabilities. Any Montana organization, agency, non-profit group, or individual with a creative idea developed by/with people with disabilities to promote community inclusion is eligible to apply.
SAVE THE DATE:
Mountain West Neurodiversity Conference
Meeting Every Mind: Making Connections
August 19-20, 2026 @ Montana State University Billings
Join us as we begin the 2026-27 school year with a fresh perspective, renewed inspiration, and actionable strategies to support neurodiverse learners in Montana public schools. Keynotes and special guests include Dr. Ross Greene, Benergy, and Michelle Garcia Winner. Conference Highlights include breakout sessions, panel discussions, exhibit hall, cross-role collaboration opportunities, and Family Day August 21st.
Questions and information, contact Amanda Stonerock, MSU Center for Inclusive Education Director, or Katie Mattingley, Statewide Coordinator of the MAEP.
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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