Montana Office of Public Instruction

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Superintendent Arntzen Announces 2022 Montana Teacher of the Year Finalists

2022 Montana Teacher of the Year Finalists

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

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Congratulations to our two 2021 Montana National Blue Ribbon Schools who received this honor from the U.S. Department of Education: Ridge View Elementary School in Belgrade and Cascade Elementary School in Cascade! Once again, Montana schools have excelled even in the face of these unprecedented times, and have put our Montana students first. Thank you for making Montana proud.

The National Blue Ribbon School designation is a highly prestigious recognition that only a few Montana schools earn each year. On September 21, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced 325 schools across the country who earned this honor, which is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

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The OPI encourages all Montana schools to observe American Indian Heritage Day on Friday, September 24. Our Indian Education for All (IEFA) Unit has planned an observance that day at the Capitol Tribal Flag Pavilion. Speakers include Superintendent Elsie Arntzen, Governor Greg Gianforte, Director of the Office of Indian Affairs Misty Kuhl, Senator Jason Small, and IEFA Director Zach Hawkins. The event begins at 10:00 am.

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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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