Superintendent Hedalen Partners with Board of Public Education and Montana University System to Remove Licensure Barriers and Expand Dual Credit Access

GREAT FALLS- Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen requested the Board of Public Education move forward with the process to eliminate the Class 8 Dual Credit Postsecondary Faculty License this week in order to expand dual credit access for Montana high school students. The Board supported the proposal unanimously at their meeting in Great Falls today to begin rulemaking to eliminate the license, making it easier for high school students to earn both high school and college credit at the same time. 

The Board also supported Superintendent Hedalen’s recommendation to not penalize school districts through accreditation for utilizing college faculty without a Class 8 license while the rulemaking process is ongoing. The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education also spoke in favor of eliminating Class 8 licenses, removing unnecessary barriers for qualified college instructors teaching Montana students preparing for college enrollment. 

“Today’s actions will immediately result in expanded access to dual credit courses for Montana high school students,” Superintendent Hedalen said Friday. “Allowing college instructors to teach dual credit courses without jumping through additional licensure red tape is common sense. Removing this unnecessary hurdle means more opportunities for Montana students to earn college credit early, explore career pathways, and get ahead while still in high school no matter their path.  These courses can range from upper-level math to career and technical education courses such as college level welding. I want to thank the Board of Public Education and Commissioner of Higher Education for their support in eliminating licensure barriers to dual credit for Montana high school students.”

“It’s certainly exciting that the number of high school students taking classes for college credit continues to grow at an increasing rate.  Representatives of the BPE, OCHE, and OPI have been in conversation for a long time now discussing how to comply with state law while simultaneously working to find more flexibility to support teachers and students.  Today’s vote is a vital first step toward putting this change into effect for the 2026-2027 academic year.” said Tim Tharp, Chair of the Board of Public Education.

Class 8 licenses were created in 2008 and are required to be obtained by college professors and instructors in order for a student to receive high school credit for courses taken through an institution of higher education. Many faculty within the Montana University System have expressed interest in teaching dual credit courses but must first spend additional time and resources to obtain a K-12 teaching license. 

“Dual credit is growing rapidly across Montana, saving families an estimated $11 million in college tuition last year alone,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian. “Today’s action removes an unnecessary barrier and will help expand access to high-quality dual credit opportunities for even more Montana students.”

Moving forward, colleges will simply notify the OPI annually of their college instructors who are teaching dual credit, which courses are being taught, and in which high schools. These changes align with the Future Ready program created by the Legislature and Superintendent Hedalen’s initiatives to provide opportunities for every student in Montana to be college, career and life ready. These licensure reform efforts also remove barriers for high quality instructors to provide rigorous learning opportunities for Montana’s students and are responsive to parents and communities that want their students to be highly prepared for life after high school.