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Hello fellow Montana educators,
At The Learning Hub, we know how busy your school year can get. That’s why we remain committed to providing high-quality, free online professional development designed to fit your schedule while helping you earn the Professional Development Units (PDU) required for licensure renewal through the OPI.
This month, we are excited to announce the release of our newest course: Success Starts Here: A Guide to Graduate Profiles.
As Montana schools move toward more personalized, proficiency-based learning models, the "Graduate Profile" (or Portrait of a Learner) serves as a critical "north star" for your district. This course is designed to help you:
Understand the core principles of a community-driven vision for student success.
Identify key attributes that every Montana student should possess upon graduation.
Whether you are looking to lead school-wide change or simply want to align your classroom goals with your community's vision, this course offers the practical roadmap you need.
Thank you for everything you do for Montana’s students!
Best regards,
Your Learning Hub Coordinators
Noteworthy:
- If you have not created an account on our new platform you can create one here:
Create A Learning Hub Account
- If you need to retrieve a copy of your pdf certificate it can be found on your student dashboard. Follow these instructions:
- Login
- Click your name (upper right hand corner)
- Click Student Dashboard
- Completed
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Early Targeted Interventions
The Early Learning Series
Call for ELTI Program Highlight Videos
Memorandum – Let us highlight your Early Targeted Intervention programs. See the memorandum for details.
The Early Learning Series- View previously recorded sessions
*Upcoming Sessions:
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May 6, 2026/ 4:00- Reporting your Early Targeted Intervention Data
Teams Link- no need to register, join the meeting in the link provided
This session is for all schools who have an Early Targeted Intervention program: Classroom, Jumpstart, or Home-based.
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All schools must complete the second round of Early Targeted Intervention (ETI) Data Collection, even those that do not offer ETI programming. To help you prepare to report both classroom-based and home-based intervention data, we are providing a PDF of the data collection #2. We also need to collect key information regarding the 2026-2027 programs and contact details for the ETI liaisons.
Early Numeracy Guidance which includes the early numeracy skills and approved early numeracy evaluation methodology tools.
Visit our Google Site to find resources and links for professional learning opportunities. The site is growing every day and we are excited to share it with you!
Professional Development Opportunities
Check out these links for upcoming events and courses:
Visit the Early Literacy website, call or email us anytime.
Contact Information
Jackie Ronning, Early Learning Specialist
(406) 438-0522
jackie.ronning@mt.gov
Kimberly Evans, Early Learning Research Analyst
(406) 594-7053
kimberly.evans@mt.gov
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Professional Development Updates
Professional Development News
April action Items for Current and Prospective PDUPS Providers
As part of the transition to the new Professional Development system, April’s focus is on what constitutes high-quality professional development under the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM).
April Focus: Designing High-Quality Professional Learning High-quality professional development is not defined solely by content coverage or seat time. To qualify for PDUs, professional learning must be intentionally designed for adult learners and demonstrate clear relevance, meaningful engagement, and a positive impact on professional practice and student learning.
In addition to ARM requirements, OPI requires approved providers to review carefully and understand the Learning Forward Standards for Professional Learning, which offer a nationally recognized framework for designing, facilitating, and evaluating effective professional learning:
April Action Items During April, all approved providers should: • Reflect on current professional development offerings • Review alignment to ARM requirements and P–12 practice • Ensure learning objectives are clearly defined and communicated • Evaluate whether activities support active engagement and application • Review how participation and completion are documented
This reflection will be especially helpful as we move closer to the application phase of the updated system.
March Reminder: Awareness and Preparation As a reminder, March focused on building awareness and preparing for the upcoming transition to the new Professional Development system.
All approved providers were encouraged to review the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM), particularly those governing professional development and PDU eligibility. These rules establish the expectations for high-quality, job-embedded, and P–12 aligned professional learning and will continue to serve as the foundation for provider responsibilities in the new system.
Key rules for review include:
This foundational understanding will support compliance and help providers prepare for the updated application process.
OPI Professional Learning Calendar and Catalog has been updated!
We are excited to share that the OPI Professional Learning Portal has officially been retired, and all professional learning opportunities are now being hosted directly on the OPI website. This update improves accessibility for educators and ensures that all events and catalog entries are easier to search and navigate.
Important Updates for Providers:
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All new submissions must use the updated forms:
- Submit events occurring between now and September 1, 2026.
- Please do not submit events beyond September 1, 2026, as the system will not display them.
Calendar vs. Catalog:
- The Calendar is for synchronous, date-specific events (workshops, conferences, webinars).
- The Catalog is for asynchronous or ongoing professional learning that can be accessed on-demand or through direct contact with the provider.
Why this matters:
- The old portal is closed, and any links to the portal will no longer function.
- All events submitted via the new forms will appear on the OPI website, making it easier for educators to find and register for your opportunities.
- Educators can search and filter events by category, provider, grade level, educator type, and cost.
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Any events occurring past December 15, 2025, will not be displayed and will require a new submission using the updated form.
Reminder regarding PDU credit:
- Per ARM 10.57.215 requirements, one clock hour equals one Professional Development Unit (1 hour = 1 PDU). When planning sessions, please ensure instructional time is scheduled in full hour increments so educators are able to receive full credit for participation.
If you have questions about which form to use for your event or about PDU calculations, please contact us at OPIPDUPS@mt.gov.
We encourage you to begin submitting your events now so they are visible to Montana educators. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting high-quality professional learning.
Educators can search the calendar and catalog here.
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.
Conferences and Calls for Proposals
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Content Area Updates
The Last Best Learning Podcast
We’re taking a short break, but we’ll be back in August! In the meantime, check out our most recent episodes:
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. 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 as well as the Podcast YouTube channel.
English Language Arts
Montana's ELA Standards: Monthly Implementation Webinars beginning in August!
Join OPI’s free, statewide webinar series designed to support educators in implementing the 2027 Montana English Language Arts and Literacy Content Standards. Sessions will include
- practical guidance
- job-embedded strategies and resources
- tips for alignment with your curriculum
- a community of professionals engaging in shared learning
See the PDF of the flier here, which includes a link to the webinar calendar and topics and the registration form.
OPI ELA Updates
Check out the Montana OPI ELA page to learn about additional professional learning opportunities, instructional resources, standards revisions, and more!
Math
Announcements
Year one of the math implementation series is at a close, and we hope you will continue to join us in year two where the goal is to move from awareness → application.
Register now!
If you missed the year one sessions, don’t worry! Recordings are available!
1 PDU is available for each live session engagement.
New Math Resources
New Resources have been added to the math standards revision website including:
Math Minute
April’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 features upcoming professional learning opportunities and helpful classroom resources. Future editions will include district and school spotlights when available. Districts, schools, or teachers interested in being featured in future Math Minute editions can fill out this form.
Want to receive these in your mailbox each month? Subscribe now!
Instructional Strategy Spotlight
This free resource, the Small Number Counts Series, offers a bank of classroom-ready stories and lesson plans that integrate IEFA in mathematics. These stories come with translations in a multitude of languages, making them accessible to linguistically and hearing diverse students.
Science and STEM
Find out about opportunities on OPI’s science website!
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Social Studies
Teaching Montana’s Constitution: A Summer Workshop for Educators will bring together Montana teachers for an in-person professional development opportunity focused on incorporating the story of Montana’s Constitution in their social studies, history, ELA, and/or government curriculum.
Fast Facts
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Dates: June 14-16, 2026
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Place: MSU Billings Campus
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Renewal Units: 12
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Cost: FREE! Lodging, two meals per day, and travel stipend provided
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Target Audience: Middle and High School social studies and ELA teachers
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Registration link: Register - Teaching Montana’s Constitution
Learn More
Organized by the Friends of the Montana Constitution, a statewide nonpartisan nonprofit, this workshop assembles constitutional experts, historians, retired public servants, and current educators to dive deep into the history of Montana’s unique 1972 Constitution and the people who wrote it. Teachers will leave the workshop not only with new materials and resources, but also with new strategies for incorporating Montana history and government into their classrooms in exciting and engaging ways.
- Session Topics Include:
- A primer on Montana’s Constitution
- Stories of the delegates to the 1972 Constitutional Convention including C. Louise Cross
- The role of judges
- The history of MT in the 1960’s & 1970’s
- Montana Constitutional Law
- How Article X led to Indian Education for All
- Understanding the initiative process and the role of the legislature, and more!
Presenters Include: Betsy Griffing, retired adjunct Professor of Montana Constitutional Law and Civil Rights Litigator; Pat Cotter, retired Montana Supreme Court Justice; Constance Van Kley, Assistant Professor with the Alexander Blewett III School of Law; Emily Cross, Billings Attorney and Granddaughter of constitutional convention delegate C. Louise Cross; Brad Faulhaber, Gov’t and Criminal Law Teacher with Sidney Public Schools; and Susan Fox, Retired Legislative Services Director.
Sponsors: This workshop is organized by the Friends of the Montana Constitution with support and funding from the Montana 250 Commission and the Montana Historical Society.
Questions?
Contact: Julia Gustafson, Coordinator, coordinator@montanaconstitution.org or 406-422-2920.
Standard Revisions Updates
ELA Standards
Montana’s new English Language Arts and Literacy Content Standards have been formally adopted by the Montana Board of Public Education! The implementation date is July 2027, selected to allow school districts adequate time to prepare between the implementation of new math and ELA standards. More information about the standards revision process can be found on the OPI’s ELA Standards Revisions Webpage.
You can access the new standards here:
Math Standards
Montana’s updated standards have an implementation date of July 2026!
Q: What does this mean?
A: All instruction in Montana schools is expected to be aligned with the state curriculum standards beginning July 2026.
Q: Will my textbook cover all the standards?
A: Your textbook likely covers the majority of the curriculum standards; however, educators should review the revised standards and conduct a curriculum audit to assess for gaps. For example, an existing gap that every educator will notice is the lack of IEFA alignment in “off the rack” textbooks. Montana’s standards have required mathematics instruction to embed contexts relevant to Indigenous Peoples of Montana for over 15 years, a need that textbooks rarely meet.
Q: Can I just keep teaching what I have always taught? The standards haven’t changed that much, have they?
A: Continuing practices without reviewing the revised standards could lead to a misalignment with state assessments, limited time in the classroom to cover all content, or gaps in instruction. Additionally, state law mandates that teaching and learning adhere to state curriculum standards. Therefore, educators are strongly encouraged to conduct an audit.
Q: What resources are available to help me with this change?
A: OPI offers tons of resources on our Math Revisions Website. Additionally, OPI is offering two professional learning webinars that occur monthly. You can watch recordings of past webinars, or register for future sessions on the website, or by clicking on the links provided later in this compass.
Additional 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.
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