For OPI Unit updates please click here.
Superintendent's Message
Dear Colleagues,
I hope this message finds you well.
Our accreditation team has enjoyed meeting with those who have requested meetings throughout the accreditation process. As we move into the evaluation phase, we appreciate the time and effort schools have dedicated to this important work. The final report will be presented at the May Board of Public Education (BPE) meeting. If you have any feedback to share, please let me know.
Deputy Superintendent Ron Whitmoyer has reached out to gather dates for the upcoming MASS meetings, and we are looking forward to attending those in the coming weeks. We value these opportunities to connect and collaborate with our MASS colleagues.
As always, we remain in close contact with our congressional delegation and the U.S. Department of Education to stay informed on any potential changes that may impact Montana schools. We are closely monitoring any developments and will keep you updated.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My team and I are always happy to assist in any way we can.
Best regards,
Susie Hedalen
Superintendent of Public Instruction
This week, we testified in support of two critical education bills that will have a lasting impact on Montana students and schools.
HB 573: Revise Transformational Learning Laws to Create a Phase II Grant Program We went up to support HB 573, which builds on Montana’s commitment to student-centered learning. This bill enhances the Transformational Learning Grant Program by advancing innovative, proficiency-based education.
The Phase II Grant Program will provide funding to successful transformational learning districts, allowing them to expand their programs and share best practices statewide. By integrating work-based, experiential, and remote learning opportunities, HB 573 ensures that Montana students are better prepared for the future workforce and lifelong success.
SB 369: Strengthen Suicide Prevention Efforts in Schools We also testified in support of SB 369, an important step in strengthening suicide prevention efforts in Montana schools. This bill requires districts to implement clear policies and training for suicide awareness and intervention, equipping educators and staff with the tools to recognize warning signs and respond effectively.
Click the links below for important updates from OPI's units.
Accreditation & Educator Preparation
Achievement in Montana (AIM)
Assessment
Career, Technical and Adult Education
Coordinated School Health
Gifted and Talented
Indian Education for All
Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST)
Montana Autism Education Project
Montana Ready
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
School Finance
School Nutrition
Special Education
Standards, Instruction & Professional Learning
Title & Federal Programs
Transformational Learning & Advanced Opportunities
Outside Opportunities
Through § 20-5-507, MCA, the Montana legislature authorized the QELAP. Newly hired educators who teach or work at an “impacted school” are eligible to receive state paid loan assistance for up to three years, so long as they remain a full-time employee at an impacted school. A fourth year of repayment may be available from the school district. To determine if you work at an impacted school, please review the Impacted Schools List. You may find the application on the Educator Recruitment and Retention webpage, or a direct link here. Applications are due April 15, 2025. Letters to applicants will be sent between June 15 and June 30, 2025 upon completion of the review process. If you have any questions, please reach out to OPILoanAssistance@mt.gov
Teachers working with students in grades 3–12 are invited to apply for the Civics for All of US Teacher Institute at the National Archives in Washington, DC. Focusing on the Declaration of Independence, this three-and-one-half-day institute will include hands-on sessions featuring strategies for teaching civics with primary sources, special tours and activities in the National Archives, and site visits to additional landmarks and museums in the nation’s capital. Each participant will receive a stipend of $1,050 to help cover travel, lodging, and other expenses. We are offering two separate Institute sessions this summer. The first cohort will meet July 14–July 17, 2025, and the second cohort will meet July 29–August 1, 2025.
Learn more here [civics.archives.gov] and apply by March 31, 2025.
The 2025 Civics for All of US Teacher Institute is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation.
Additionally, your educators may be interested in our free, virtual teacher workshops [civics.archives.gov] on teaching civics with primary sources.
Questions? Contact:
McKenna Gregg, Communications Director
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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