English Language Arts (ELA) Standards

English Language Arts/ Literacy Content Standards Revisions are in the 'Revision' Phase of the process!

Check back soon for more information on the process of revising this specific set of Content Standards.

English Language Arts Standards Review Timeline

Task Force Resources

ELA Standards Revision - Task Force Members

Grades K-2 Writing Team
Barbara Frank	Missoula	Barbara Frank: MA in Elem Ed./SPED, MA in School Counseling, MEd in Ed. Leadership
Dana Fitzgale	Florence	Dr. Dana Fitzgale: EdD in Literacy Education
Genevieve Thomas	Whitefish	Genevieve Thomas: MA in SPED, and School Psych, BA in Spanish,
Stephanie Lester	Montana City	Stephanie Lester: MA in Curriculum and Instruction, BA in Social Sciences
Grades 3-5 Writing Team
Amber Byrd	Helena	Amber Byrd: MA in Elementary Education
Abby Kuhl	Helena	Abby Kuhl: MA in Elementary Ed., BA in Elementary Ed.
Kari Dahl Huff	Billings	Dr. Kari Dahl Huff: PhD in Critical Literacy and English Education, MA in Curriculum and Instruction, BA in Secondary English and Theater
Shannin Preshinger	Helena	Shannin Preshinger: MEd in Curriculum and Instruction: English Education, BA in Elementary Education with Secondary English Endorsement
Grades 6-8 Writing Team
Will Dickerson	Bozeman	Will Dickerson: MEd in Educational Leadership
Dana Haring	Kalispell	Dr. Dana Haring: EdD in Curriculum and Instruction, MEd in Educational Leadership: MA in English Teaching, BA in Literature
Karen Polari	Sidney	Karen Polari: MA in Curriculum & Instruction, MA in Library Media Science, BA in Elementary Education, BA in Special Education, BA in Secondary ELA Education
Antonia Malchik*	Whitefish	Antonia Malchik: MFA in Creative Writing- Non-Fiction, BA in Mathematics and English
Kristina Matthews*	Highwood	Kristina Matthews: MA in Philosophy, BS in Psychology, MA in English Teaching Candidate

Grades 6-8 Writing Team
Casey Olsen	Columbus	Casey Olsen: MA in Secondary English Teaching, BA in Secondary English Teaching
Jeff Ross	Lolo/Belt	Jeff Ross: MFA in Creative Writing, MA in Secondary English Teaching
Kathy Pfaffinger	Billings	Kathy Pfaffinger: MA in Teaching, BS in Secondary Education, English
Erin Hunt*	Helena	Erin Hunt: MA in Science Education, BS in Biology, Education Option
Caitlin Chiller*	Livingston	Caitlin Chiller: MEd in Curriculum and Instruction, BA in English Literature
Interdisciplinary Literacy Caucus*
K-12 Review Team
Jeanne Wdowin	Kalispell	Jeanne Wdowin: M.A. School Administration, BA in Early Childhood through Grade 6
Andrea Meiers	Billings	Andrea Meiers: MEd in Leadership, BA in English Education
Beverly Chin	Missoula	Dr. Beverly Chin: PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, MA in English and Higher Education, BA in English and Education
Tammy Elser	Missoula/ Pablo	Dr. Tammy Elser: Ed.D. Literacy, M.A School Counseling, B.A. Secondary ELA

ELA Standards Revision - Research

Research for the ELA Standards Task Force was put into briefs by researchers at the Regional Educational Laboratory - Northwest

Funded by the US Department of Education’s Institute of Educational Sciences, the ten Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) partner with educators and policymakers nationwide. to provide support for the development of programs, services, and guidelines. For nearly 60 years, the RELs have collaborated with school districts, state departments of education, and other education stakeholders to help generate and apply evidence, with the goal of improving learner outcomes. REL work is change-oriented, rigorous, and high-leverage, supporting consequential local, regional, or statewide decisions about education policies, programs, and practices. RELs contribute to the growing body of research on how experiences within the nation’s education system differ by context and student group, thereby impacting outcomes and identifying potential solutions.

WestEd operates Regional Educational Lab Northwest in partnership with Marzano Research to serve the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

Brief #1 - Reading Instructional Practices and Models
Brief #2 - Relationship Between Reading and Writing
Brief #3 - Stages of Emergent Literacy and Language Development
Brief #4 - Adolescent Literacy
Brief #5 - Disciplinary Literacy

Standard Resources

Negotiated Rulemaking Committee

The Negotiated Rulemaking Committee for English Language Arts will begin work in the fall of 2024. The application to serve on the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (NRC) can be found here. Please note, that appointment to the committee will not begin until Summer 2024. Those appointed to the NRC will be notified via email in August 2024. Should you have any questions, please reach out to the contacts below.

OPI Staff are here to help:

Stephanie Swigart, English Language Arts and Literacy Instructional Coordinator

Aimee Konzen; Standards, Instruction, and Professional Learning Manager

Marie Judisch, Teaching and Learning Senior Manager

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