Montana Office of Public Instruction

Welcome to the Montana Office of Public Instruction!

Superintendent Arntzen Announces 2022 Montana Teacher of the Year Finalists

2022 Montana Teacher of the Year Finalists

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Classroom doors are opening across the state. We are looking forward to a new year of growth and opportunity for all of our students, and we thank our teachers for all they do to put Montana students first!  View Superintendent Arntzen's 2021 Back to School Message.

For answers to questions schools may have related to the new school year, visit What Schools Need to Know.

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In light of Governor Gianforte's statewide wildland fire emergency, which was declared on July 14, I'm urging everyone to be careful as you enjoy the outdoors. This emergency declaration is a recognition of the difficult months we are in, and those that lay ahead. But if we are smart about how we recreate, we can help reduce the burden on our great firefighters and first responders. View the DNRC's September 13 Wildfire Situation Report here.

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On August 5th, the U.S. Department of Education approved the ARP ESSER State Plan for Montana that the OPI had submitted on June 7th.  This action allows the OPI to begin transferring the remaining one-third of the ESSER III Fund balance to school districts.  It also gives the OPI an approved roadmap for helping our great Montana schools use this large influx of Federal funding to innovate and improve instruction for our Montana students.  Our plan recognizes local control, removes obstacles and barriers for schools, and enhances accountability without being overly burdensome.  

View ARP ESSER Plan

The ARP Act represents the third round of funding to come through the ESSER fund, and Montana's allocation totals more than $382,000,000.  In previous rounds, Montana received more than $41,000,000 (ESSER I) and $170,000,000 (ESSER II).  Through the Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS), the state also received nearly $20 million for home and private schools.  Two-thirds of the ESSER III funding was already released to schools in May; now that USED has approved the State Plan, the OPI can begin releasing the remaining one-third, or roughly $126 million.  Please check the "Find ESSER Information" on this website for regularly updated information.  If your school district has any questions on ESSER, please direct them to jeffrey.kirksey@mt.gov.  

NEW!   OPI's 67th Legislative Summary Document

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