Big Idea #1 - Summer Learning Opportunities Page

Spring is here, and that means summer is just around the corner! Setting your students up with quality, evidence-based summer learning opportunities can make all the difference for learning retention and preparation for next year’s classes.  Give your students and families the best possible summer learning opportunities by visiting the OPI’s Summer Learning Page.  We’ve curated a variety of evidence-based summer programs to help students build on and retain their learning from this year. Direct families and students to one of the virtual/online free summer camps, create a reading challenge among your students (competition between grades perhaps!?), or set up a math program through our Montana Ed Ready Summer Math Program. Not sure where to start? Watch this short video from CommonSense on 3 Fun Ways to Prevent Summer Slide. 

Big Idea #2 - ESSA Ratings for ARP Funds

Are you interested in learning more about evidence-based practices and how they may relate to your school’s COVID American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds? There are some resources to help you learn more about evidence-based practices:

• The newly-released Evidence-Based Practices course on the Teacher Learning Hub - this two hour course discusses what it means for practices to be evidence-based, how to select evidence-based practices, and the recommendations set out by ESSA and the Montana OPI. (2 RU’s)
• WestED’s brief 30-minute module - This module takes you through the various resources available to help you locate evidence-based practices.
• Evidence-Based Resources Quick Reference document - This quick reference resource document is full of links to help you on learn more about evidence-based practices.

Big Idea #3 - Access to the 2021 Revised Montana Content Standards

We want you to be aware of the resources available for the newly adopted Social Studies, Career and Technical Education, Technology Integration, Library Media, and Computer Science Standards. The standards are now posted on the K-12 Content Standards & Revision Webpage. See individual content area pages to access the standards and other helpful information.

Montana Content Standards for Career and Technical Education (PDF)

Montana Content Standards for Computer Science (PDF)

Montana Content Standards for Library Media and Information Literacy (PDF)

Montana Content Standards for Social Studies (PDF)

Montana Content Standards for Technology Integration (PDF)

Model curriculum guides, professional development, and resources will be added throughout 2021. Districts should consider their five-year curriculum review cycle in order to plan for a staggered approach to aligning to the new standards, and therefore, each district may adopt the new standards at different intervals. The implementation date for the new standards begins July 1, 2021. 

Standards, Instruction and Professional Learning Contacts

Colet Bartow, Senior Manager, Teaching and Learning Department, 406-444-3583

Stephanie Swigart, English Language Arts Coordinator, 406-444-0736

Michelle McCarthy, Science Coordinator, 406-444-3537

Marisa Graybill, Mathematics Coordinator, 406-444-0706

Terri Barclay, Montana Comprehensive Literacy Project Manager, 406-444-0753

• Literacy Grant Specialist, Liz Tuss
• Literacy Grant Specialist, Rachel Anderberg

Carli Cockrell, Professional Learning Coordinator, 406-444-0769

Vacant, Teacher Learning Hub Coordinator, 406-444-3557

Allyson Briese, Teacher Learning Hub Content Specialist, 406-444-0716

Marjorie O'Rourke, Professional Learning Data & Information Specialist, 406-444-3538

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.