Special Education
Exiting Data Verification (April 2026)
Graduation Form & Instructions for Graduation Form (May 2026)
Examples of HS Graduation PWN (May 2026)
Negotiated Rulemaking Committee for Chapter 55
The Board of Public Negotiated Rulemaking Committee considered AMENDMENTS TO ARM 10.55.602 and 10.55.805 SPECIAL EDUCATION and adoption of NEW RULE 1 (10.55.725) regarding special education graduation requirements and to considered the addition of definitions, duties, and responsibilities of a special education technician. The next BPE hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 10:00 am. Please see link for additional details.
Orientation: May 12, 2026, 4:00 - 5:00 pm | Agenda – Recording
NRC Session #1: May 19, 2026, 3:30 - 5:00 pm | Agenda – Recording – Minutes
NRC Session #2: June 2, 2026, 3:30 - 5:00 pm | Agenda – Recording – Minutes
State Application for IDEA Funds
Proportionate Share
Subrecipient Monitoring
IDEA Allocations
Maintenance of Effort (MOE)
Special Education Data Collections
- Special Education Data Collection Schedule
- Child Count Data Verification
- *NEW* Exiting Data Verification (April 2026)
- Post-School Outcomes Data
- *NEW* Behavior Data Collection (May 2026)
- Personnel Data Information
- Assessment Information
Educational Environments/Setting of Service Information
Public Reporting of IDEA Data
- Public Reporting (by Indicator)
- Special Education Report to the Board of Public Education (BPE) – Sept 2025
- IDEA Data Dashboard
- IDEA Section 618 Data Products (OSEP) (external link)
Significant Disproportionality
- Significant Disproportionality Technical Manual
- Significant Disproportionality Essential Questions and Answers
- Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) Fiscal and Student Data Tracker
- Root Cause Analysis Tool
Assessment Data
- Special Education Endorsement Project
- School Psychologist Stipend Program
- Speech Language Pathology Traineeship Program
- University of Montana SIMS Scholars Program (OSEP Funded) Offers scholarships for undergraduate and graduate special education and speech language pathology at UM.
- Occupational Therapist Traineeship
- Para Pathways
For questions, contact:
- Montana Empowerment Center
- Montana Association of School Psychologists (MASP)
- Montana Brain Injury Alliance
- Montana Effective Practices Matrix
- Sign up for OPI E-mail Updates (Special Education and Student Supports is at the bottom)
Hearing Conservation Program Guidelines
Please contact Lucy Beltz for general questions.
Sign Language Interpreting Administrative Rule
Interpreter Mentoring, Education and Training (IMET) Self-Paced Online Courses
Important Update
EIPA Performance Test Turnaround Time and New Policy for Retaking the Performance Test
EIPA Written and Performance Assessment Dates: TBD May 2027, Registration opens March 15, 2027
Learn more and Register for the EIPA Assessment
Please contact Lucy Beltz to register or for general questions. If you have questions about the test itself, please visit the EIPA Diagnostic Center.
OPI Staff are here to help
Kjersten Skatvold
Director of Special Education
Danni McCarthy
Associate Director of Special Education
406-594-3610
Kimberlea Emmons
Fiscal Manager
406-444-3124
Tammy Lysons
Administrative Coordinator
406-431-2309
Ty House
Administrative Assistant
406-444-2504
Unit Manager - Vacant
Katie Mattingley
Montana Autism Education Project
406-437-3874
Anne Carpenter
Program Support Specialist
406-465-0922
Annette Viciedo Young
Continuing Ed & Stipend Programs
406-444-0299
Lucy Beltz
Special Education Preschool, 619 Coordinator
406-431-4654
Vacant
Special Education Family & School Liaison
Crystal Wright
School Improvement Unit Manager
406-202-7920
Jillian Bellah
School Improvement Specialist
406-438-0749
Sarah Lamb
School Improvement Specialist
406-550-6898
Teresa Moore
School Improvement Specialist
406-594-1967
Haley Broth
School Improvement Specialist
406-593-7602
Vacant
IDEA Part B Data Manager
Victoria Peterson
Special Education Infinite Campus Specialist
406-444-1325
Mandi Gibbs
Director, Early Assistance Program
406-444-5664
Angie Griner
Paralegal, Early Assistance Program
406-444-2046