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The OPI is providing this newsletter every month for an update on current events and ongoing education-related issues in Montana. The next Navigator will be sent to you in
July 2024
For previous editions of the Navigator click here.
Superintendent's Message
 Please watch Superintendent Arntzen's Graduation Message to the over 9,000 graduating high school students.
Thank you for serving the students and families of Montana by serving as a legislator and running for office! With the primary election behind us, please continue to utilize resources at the Office of Public Instruction to answer education questions or concerns you may encounter during the general election.
Leg Days is coming up on June 18th & 19th at the State Capitol. The OPI looks forward to seeing all the legislators in town for the event. The OPI will have ESSER data available for legislators during Leg Days. If there is any information OPI can provide to assist you during Leg Days, please contact Katie Bloodgood, Legislative Liaison, at katie.bloodgood@mt.gov.
Legislative Updates
Legislative Implementation
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HB 549 - Public Charter Schools Act
By Rep. Fred Anderson
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The Board of Public Education approved 19 Public Charter Schools applications in January, 2024. Two of these schools are planning to open in the fall of 2025: Bozeman Charter School and Boulder Jefferson Academy.
Seventeen Public Charter Schools have received their school codes and are on schedule to open for the 2024-2025 school year:
The request to open a BPE-approved charter school can be found on the OPI’s charter school webpage. Applications are due November 1, 2024. If you have any questions, reach out to our School Finance Unit at OPISchoolFinance@mt.gov.
For more information, please contact Barb Quinn, Financial Manager.
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HB 393 - Students with Special Needs Equal Opportunity Act
By Rep. Sue Vinton
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HB 393 established a students with special needs education savings account (ESA). Qualified students, those identified as a "child with a disability" under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C 1400, may be eligible for reimbursement of allowable education expenses.
On June 1, 2024 OPI closed the first application window for the ESA program. There are two application windows, May 1, 2024 – June 1, 2024, and November 2024 to December 2024. 45 applications were submitted to OPI. Parent's are being notified of their children's eligibility and will be required to sign contracts if they are eligible. The parent handbook can be found HERE.
The amount families receive in their savings account is determined by the ANB formula for students. This varies slightly from district to district. You may find a preliminary estimated amount per student per district on this table here: Education Savings Account Student.
OPI's proposed Administrative Rules for ESA are available here. There are opportunities for public comment:
A timeline of the Education Savings Account:
- On April 27, 2023, HB 393, the Montana Legislature passed the Students with Special Needs Equal Opportunity Act, which created the Education Savings Account (ESA).
- On May 18, 2023, HB 393 was signed by the Governor.
- On July 1, 2023, HB 393 became effective.
- On November 28, 2023, the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) opened applications for the ESA Steering Committee.
- On December 10, 2023, OPI announced the ESA Steering Committee members.
- On January 9 and February 12, 2024, OPI held the first two ESA Steering Committee meetings.
- January 9, 2024, meeting Agenda and Recording
- February 12, 2024, meeting Agenda and Recording
- On January 23, 2024, the Montana Quality Educators Coalition (MQEC) and Disability Rights Montana filed a lawsuit against HB 393.
- On January 23, 2024, MQEC and Disability Rights Montana filed a lawsuit against HB 393, the Education Savings Account (ESA). Superintendent Arntzen responded, “As the daughter of a special education teacher, I have always supported children of all abilities. Local accountability starts with the family. Montana parents know the educational needs of their students better than the government. The special education savings account has specific parameters for the use of state dollars and a rigorous accountability process. Our children deserve the best education that they can receive. HB 393 aims to provide this by putting Montana students first.”
- On March 11 and April 8, 2024, OPI held two more ESA Steering Committee meetings.
- On April 8, 2024, OPI hired an account specialist to handle the flow of ESA dollars
- On April 11, 2024, OPI published that the ESA applications would be available on May 1, 2024.
- On April 15, 2024, OPI released a Family Interest Survey. About 60 Montana parents and families contacted OPI with interest in utilizing the ESA.
- On April 22, 2024, a motion for a preliminary injunction was filed by MQEC to stop the implementation of HB 393. Superintendent Arntzen responded: “Unaccountable organizations and associations utilize our court system when they can’t win in the Legislature. Montanans elect representatives to be their voice and pass legislation at our Capitol. These stuck-in-the-mud education groups are hurting children of all abilities and parental choice by standing in the way of Montana’s constitutional promise to develop the full educational potential of all children. I have always been and will continue to be a fierce advocate for transparency, parental rights, and expanding educational choices for our children."
For more information, please contact Whitney Williams, Education Savings Account Specialist.
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HB 352 - Provide targeted interventions to support reading proficiency - By Rep. Brad Barker |
Superintendent Arntzen is actively implementing HB 352, Early Literacy Targeted Intervention Program, 20-7-1803, MCA. This program enhances early literacy learning in Montana schools by offering optional classroom-based, home-based, and jumpstart programs for eligible students. The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) is working with the Board of Public Education's Early Literacy Advisory Council to ensure successful program implementation, aiming to improve reading proficiency by the end of third grade. The Early Literacy Collaborative provides guidance to engage stakeholders and offers clear directives for local districts.
Parents may request their child undergo screening for participation in any of the established early literacy intervention programs. Screening began in April and continues through June. Eligibility is determined through the evaluation methodology established by the Board of Public Education through the work of the Early Literacy Advisory Council. OPI continues to regularly update guidance. The evaluation methodology and a guidance document are available on the OPI’s Early Literacy Targeted Interventions page. The OPI looks forward to supporting schools this year in the classroom based, home based, and jumpstart intervention programs!
Waterford has been selected as the provider for the home-based learning program. They were also approved by the Board of Public Education. Districts will be notified soon of the first come first served access to the home-based licenses.
Early Literacy Office Hours: Wednesday, June 12th 8-8:30am: HERE
For more information, please contact Christy Mock-Stutz, Assistant Superintendent or Marie Judisch, Teaching and Learning Senior Manager.
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HB 143 - TEACH Act : Provide incentives for increasing starting teacher pay (2021 Session)
By Rep Lew Jones
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The "TEACH Act" created an incentive for districts to increase starting teacher salaries by establishing a "legislative goal" of 10 times the Quality Educator (QE) payment as the benchmark for "competitive base pay". The incentive is an additional QE payment added to the district's general fund budget for teachers in the first three years of their teaching career.
School districts are required by statute to submit data by December 1st for the OPI to assess the school district’s eligibility in a timely manner. The OPI makes every effort to assist school districts with reporting under the data entry system. OPI held virtual office hours, went on road shows across the state, and were available to provide school districts with every opportunity to report their data.
Fifty schools successfully completed their data form by the December 1st deadline, as required in statute, and were eligible for the incentives offered under the TEACH Act.
Nineteen school districts initiated the data submission form for the quality teacher incentives under the TEACH Act but did not complete the process. OPI contacted these school districts via email and phone to notify them of the incomplete data and allowed them to complete their initiated data form. With assistance from OPI, eight of these school districts were determined eligible for quality teacher incentives and will be receiving the payment.
A total of 58 schools applied for and are eligible for quality teacher incentives under the TEACH Act for FY 2025.
For more information, please contact Katie Bloodgood, Legislative Liaison.
Calendar
The Gavel provides updates on the implementation of new laws, in-depth research, links to interesting topics, and timely items about the Legislature.
Legislative Calendar Updates
June
6/12 - Senate Select Committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform - Room 137
6/17 - Economic Affairs Committee - Room 152
6/17 - Education Committee - Room 317
6/17 - Environmental Quality Council- Room 137
6/17 - Select Committee on Corrections Facility Capacity and System Development - Room 422
6/17 - Legislative Council - Room 152
6/17 - Legislative Audit Committee- Room 102
6/18 - 6/19 - Leg Days - Capitol Building
6/20 - Interim Budget Committee Section A (General Government)- Room 335
6/20 - Interim Budget Committee Section B (Health and Human Services) - Room 102
6/20 - Interim Budget Committee Section C (Natural Resources) - Room 422
6/20 - Interim Budget Committee Section D (Public Safety)- Room 152
6/20 - Interim Budget Committee Section E (Education) - Room 172
6/20 - Interim Budget Committee Section F (Long Range Planning)- Room 472
6/21 - CPS Work Group - Room 137
6/21 - Legislative Finance Committee- Room 102
6/24 - Revenue Interim Committee- Room 137
6/25 - Montana Law Enforcement Academy Graduation - Helena, MT
6/27 - Economic Affairs Committee - Room 137
Join us in Celebrating
Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST) Program
Superintendent Arntzen is proudly celebrating two successful years of the Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST) Pilot Program. The MAST pilot included over one-third, or 20,000 students in grades 3-8, and 200 schools across Montana. The through-year assessment, based on state content standards, is given four times a year to directly connect teaching to the learning of the skill. This program aims to accurately represent the unique needs of Montana students and teachers while providing flexibility.
During the 2024-2025 school year, the MAST program will be used as the federally required student assessment for Math and English Language Arts in grades 3-8. There will be four scheduled testing windows during the school year:
- Window 1: October 14 – November 22, 2024
- Window 2: January 13 – February 21, 2025
- Window 3: March 24 – May 2, 2025
- Window 4: May 5 – May 23, 2025
For more information, contact Tressa Graveley, Assessment Specialist, or click here.
Invitation to Participate in Virtual Meetings on MAST Score Reports
In collaboration with the Center for Assessment, the OPI is seeking teachers and instructional leaders from schools that piloted the Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST) assessment during the 2023-2024 school year to participate in virtual meetings aimed at gathering valuable insights on reading and using MAST score reports.
One-hour virtual sessions will be held throughout the month of June. As a token of our appreciation, gift cards will be provided to participants.
Your feedback will be instrumental in improving the usability and effectiveness of MAST score reports. If you are interested in participating, please contact Assessment Director Cedar Rose at cedar.rose@mt.gov.
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Virtual Office Hours for Superintendents
OPI will continue holding Virtual Office Hours for Superintendents every Wednesday at 10:00 AM throughout the summer months. To join the Zoom meeting, click here.
During June Ashley Perez, Senior Data Operations Manager, will present:
- June 12 - Data Collections
- June 19 - Unified Insights
- June 26 - Accountability; How your data is used and the federal reporting process
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Teacher Residency Program Recruitment
Superintendent Arntzen is accepting residency and district applications for the third year of the Montana Teacher Residency Program. The Residency program is a one-year paid student teaching experience during the final year of undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or master’s studies for education majors. Residents will be paired with a teacher-leader, and receive a stipend, district-provided housing, and partial tuition support. Resident teachers will also commit to teaching in a Montana school district for a minimum of three years. Those interested in becoming a resident can apply here. Districts interested in hosting a resident can apply here.
To date, 8 residents in 8 school districts have been placed for the 2024-2025 school year, with more placements pending:
- 12 residents are awaiting lead teacher confirmations
- 15 residents are awaiting placements
- A total of 35 Residents are committed to the program and approved by their Educator Preparation Program
During the first two years of the residency program, 40 residents were placed in 20 Montana school districts.
For more details and any questions, please contact Krystal Smith, OPI Operations Manager.
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Budget and Education Working Group
The second round of the Budget and Education Working Group (BEWG) meetings were held on May 20-23, 2024. The third round of meetings will be held from June 24-27, 2024. The meetings will be held in seven small virtual group sessions via Zoom. The purpose is to gather information from the community and offer feedback that will serve as a resource for the legislature when considering education funding for the 2025 Biennium Budget and 2025 Legislative Session. OPI staff will provide a white paper and summary from the working group for the legislature.
May's discussion focused on identifying challenges facing education in the Working Group members’ communities. The upcoming meetings will center on discussing proposed solutions to these identified problems. Some of the most discussed topics included:
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Teacher recruitment & retention: What can be done to recruit new teachers and have them stay in Montana; increase teacher pay to be tied to cost of living; concerns about the cost of healthcare & housing.
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Inflation pressures: All good and services are costing more for schools but increases in funding do not mirror the increases in inflation; utilities and insurance costs have increased; costs to maintain building and facilities has increased substantially- lots of deferred maintenance.
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ANB funding formula: Funding for schools is too focused on student enrollment; there should be a focus on the number of teachers and staff needed for the school not the number of students.
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Special Education: Hard to find qualified teachers; funding does not adequately take into account the amount of services kids need; demand for special education services has increased.
Small Group Meeting Information
Meeting dates and times for Group A: Special needs students and programs
Meeting dates and times for Group B: Teacher pay, retention, & recruitment
Meeting dates and times for Group C: Rural, population, & culture
Meeting dates and times for Group D: Sustainability & tax burden
Meeting dates and times for Group E: Programs & curriculum
Meeting dates and times for Group F: Funding formula
Meeting dates and times for Group G: School budgeting
For more information, please contact Katie Bloodgood, Legislative Liaison, at katie.bloodgood@mt.gov.
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School Safety Professional Development Grant
The School Safety Professional Development Grant (SSPDG) opens at 10:00 AM on June 3, 2024.
Montana's Legislature passed HB 601 (2019) and HB 2 (2023) to provide funds to school districts to support school safety professional development. The OPI will administer school safety grant funds with $100,000 awarded each school year.
- This grant provides $1,000 to $10,000 to a Montana school district to support school safety professional development pursuant to HB 601.
- Grant applications for allowable activities will be approved in the order in which they are received, with priority being given to school districts who have not yet received an award for this opportunity.
- Please review the 2024-2025 Grant Application Instructions prior to the submitting your grant to prepare your narrative and budget documents.
Grant Reporting:
- For state Fiscal Year 2025 grantees, after the professional development activities have been concluded, submit the School Safety PD Reporting Form and a final expenditure report to Bran Patterson. All professional development activities should occur by June 30, 2025 with both reports due by July 15, 2025.
- For state Fiscal Year 2024 grantees, after the professional development activities have been concluded, submit the School Safety PD Reporting Form and a final expenditure report to Brian Patterson. All professional development activities should occur by June 30, 2024 with both reports due by July 15, 2024.
To apply, visit the SSPDG website.
For more information, please contact Brian Patterson, School Safety Program Manager.
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Discovery Education and DreamBox
DreamBox Math and Reading Programs K-12
ALL Montana Districts have access to OPI provided (FREE) DreamBox Math and Reading Programs K-12 for the 2024-2025 school year!
In August, District Administrators will receive an email with directions on how to roster teachers and students for each adaptive, personalized program. Once your schools are rostered, you can schedule FREE PD at your convenience (summer and fall PIR sessions are filling up quickly). If you have any questions, schedule time to learn more here.
SAVE THE DATE: Days of Discovery
We are happy to announce TWO amazing days of FREE professional development for Discovery Education Experience and DreamBox Learning Math and Reading.
- Miles City – August 6th
- Helena – August 8th
Both events are scheduled for 8:00 am – 4:00pm.
Lunch and snacks are provided. OPI Renewal Units Available.
To register, click here.
Check out Discovery Education for more information, or reach out directly to your dedicated PD Specialist, Natalee Hawks at nhawks@discoveryed.com.
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Land Board Updates
Land Board Commissioner and State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen voted to protect private property rights during the State Land Board meeting on May 20, 2024. The Superintendent supported the motion to require Land Board approval of any legal claims of private water rights by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). Beginning in 1996, the Land Board authorized the DNRC to manage decisions regarding private water rights used during state trust land leases for livestock grazing and growing crops.
During the 2019 legislative session, HB 286, authored by Representative and rancher Alan Redfield, revised water rights in connection to state land leases stating that “the state may not obtain an ownership interest in a water right or the groundwater development works of a water right that is diverted from a well or developed spring located on private land exclusively based on trustee obligations for state trust land.”
All state trust lands are managed by the DNRC Trust Lands Management Division and benefit public schools through the sale of timber, surface, and mineral resources. When Montana became a state in 1889, the Enabling Act set aside a vast number of lands that support Common Schools. Today, the State manages 5.2 million surface acres and 6.2 million mineral acres in state trust lands that benefit Montana’s Common Schools.
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Upcoming Meetings:
6/17 - Supreme Court Chambers, Mazurek Justice Building, Helena, MT - VIEW
7/15 - Supreme Court Chambers, Mazurek Justice Building, Helena, MT - VIEW
OPI Press Releases
Questions? Contact:
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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