Accreditation

Update on Implementation of Chapter 55-Revised

1. Variances to Standards
   
   The revised ARM 10.55.604 Variances to Standards allows a local board of trustees to apply… for a variance to a standard or a section of standards, excluding standards stating statutory criteria, standards pertaining to educator licensure or endorsement, and content standards.
   In addition, the revised rule requires the creation of a review board, which will provide recommendations to the superintendent for approval, modification, or rejection of the variances to standards applications. 
   ARM 10.55.604 (1) …
   • (d) Upon receipt, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall refer applications for variance to standards to a pre-appointed review board.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall facilitate and provide organizational support for the meetings of the review board.
     (i)  The review board shall consist of the following, appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction from a list of qualifying individuals jointly endorsed by MEA-MFT, Montana Rural Education Association (MREA), Montana Small Schools Alliance (MSSA), School Administrators of Montana (SAM), and Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA): one trustee, one district superintendent, one high school principal, one elementary principal, two high school teachers, and two elementary school teachers.

     Variances to Standards – Phase I Implementation January 2014 2013-14 Timeline Update
     January 18	Launch variances to standards webpage
     February 8	Announce review board appointments
     April 4	Post variances to standards web applications and rubric
     July 1	Due date for variances to standards applications for January 2014 implementation
     September 12-13	Board of Public Education (BPE) action on variances to standards recommendations
     September 20	Notify school districts of final BPE action
     January 2014	Implementation of approved variances to standards applications

     
     For more information, contact Linda Vrooman Peterson by telephone at (406) 444-5726, or by e-mail at lvpeterson@mt.gov
     
     
2. Model Montana System for the Evaluation of Teachers and Principals
   
   The Teaching, Learning and Leading Collaboration (TLLC) Evaluation System Work Team continues to refine the draft models for evaluation of teachers and principals. The Evaluation System Work Team includes: Kirk Miller, SAM; Marco Ferro, MEA-MFT; Dan Rask, MSSA; Bob Vogel, MTSBA; Dave Puyear, MREA; Steve York, OPI; Linda Vrooman Peterson, OPI; Teresa Burson, Helena Public Schools; Virginian Braithwaite, MSUN; and Scott Dubbs, Lewistown Public Schools. By spring of 2013, the Evaluation System Work Team will distribute draft models for evaluation of teachers and principals for discussion and input by education stakeholders.  Montana school districts will be able to adapt, adopt or modify the state evaluation models or use locally developed teacher/principal evaluation systems that are aligned to ARM 10.55.701 (4) (a) & (b).

   • Model Montana Evaluation System – Development 2013-14 Timeline Update
     Winter 2013	Complete draft evaluation models (teacher and principal)
     Spring 2013	hare draft evaluation models with stakeholders for discussion/input
     Spring 2013	Identify volunteer school districts interested in piloting draft models
     June 2013	Co-Sponsor Montana Educators’ Institute June 11-13, 2013 Teaching, Learning and Leading:  Fostering continuous professional growth, enabling success for all students
     Summer 2013	Distribute draft evaluation models
     Summer 2013	Train districts’ personnel piloting draft evaluation models
     Fall 2013	Launch pilot project of draft evaluation models
     Winter 2014	Provide ongoing evaluation of draft models used by pilot districts
     Spring 2014	inalize evaluation models for presentation to the BPE

     
     
     For more information, contact Steve York by telephone at (406) 444-4434, or by e-mail at syork@mt.gov .