Federal Special Education Laws- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Policy Documents

Federal Requirements- MT State Plan & Advisory Panel

Montana State Plan

Advisory Panel

Upcoming Meetings

The next Advisory Panel meeting will be held Thursday, April 30, 2026 in Helena, MT at the OPI. 

The meetings are open to the public. The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. If you need an accommodation, require an alternate format of a document, or have questions concerning accessibility, please contact the Special Education Unit, 406-444-2504, TDD 800-253-4091.

Meeting Minutes

Advisory Panel Members 2025-26
SEAP Bylaws - Adopted April 10, 2025

 

Annual Performance Report

Annual Performance Report

The Annual Performance Report (APR) is a report to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) submitted each February.  The report consists of 18 indicators and a State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP).  The indicators include graduation data, dropout data, assessment data, behavior data, least restrictive environment data, preschool outcome measures, parent involvement, disproportionality, 60-day evaluation timeline data, Part C to Part B transition data, secondary transition data, post-school outcome data, and dispute resolution data. 

The FFY2023 APR, submitted in February 2025, contains data from the 2023-2024 school year, and for some indicators, from the 2022-2023 school year.  Click on the links below to look at specific indicators.

 

Annual Determination

On June 20, 2025, Montana received its Determination letter from OSEP.  The OSEP determined that Montana Needs Assistance in meeting the requirements of the IDEA.  This determination is based on the data submitted in the APR, data submitted through the EdFacts data submission system at the Dept. of Education, Part B Compliance Matrix, and data from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP).  For further information on how the determination was made, please read the How the Department Made Determinations document. 

Montana continues to work towards Meeting the Requirements of the IDEA through work with OSEP and the Technical Assistance centers funded by OSEP.  The Special Education Division also works collaboratively with other divisions of the OPI and our district and coop partners.

Prior Year Annual Performance Reports

Montana Special Education Laws

MT Special Education Guidance

Special Education in Montana (August 2024)

The Special Education Division of the OPI is in the process of updating the Montana Special Education Guide to ensure all information is accurate and aligned with current policies and practices. Updates will be made on a rolling basis as each section is reviewed and revised. Completed sections will be listed below as they become available. We appreciate your patience and commitment to staying informed.

Special Education Additional Guidance

Special Education Forms

School Improvement

504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is administered and regulated by the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) in the U.S. Department of Education (ED).  Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal civil rights law and prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities by school districts receiving federal financial assistance.  The OCR provides technical assistance to school districts, parents, and students upon request.  The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) has no authority in administering, regulating, or offering guidance on Section 504 matters.

The OCR's website includes Frequently Asked Questions: Section 504 and contact information.

 

Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 provides a guide to school and families to ensure better awareness of the requirements and protections of federal non-discrimination laws.

 

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