Special Education

Special Education Data Collections

• Special Education Data Collection Schedule
  • Child Count Data Verification
  • *NEW* Exiting Data Verification (April 2026)
  • Post-School Outcomes Data
  • *NEW* Behavior Data Collection (May 2026)
  • Personnel Data Information
  • Assessment Information

Educational Environments/Setting of Service Information

• School Age Setting of Service Grid
• Early Childhood Setting of Service Decision Tree and Grid

Public Reporting of IDEA Data

• Public Reporting (by Indicator)
• Special Education Report to the Board of Public Education (BPE) – Sept 2025
• IDEA Data Dashboard
• IDEA Section 618 Data Products (OSEP) (external link)

Significant Disproportionality

• Significant Disproportionality Technical Manual
• Significant Disproportionality Essential Questions and Answers
• Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) Fiscal and Student Data Tracker
• Root Cause Analysis Tool

Assessment Data

• Accessing Special Education Assessment Proficiency Data
• Assessment Participation and Proficiency Data – FFY 2024

Early Assistance Program for Special Education

The Early Assistance Program (EAP) at the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) provides technical assistance to help parents, adult students, guardians, school district staff, advocates and other members of the special education community understand the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and implementing Montana laws.

The EAP also provides informal dispute resolution for special education issues relating to a student’s free and appropriate public education or any violation of Part B of the IDEA or implementing Montana laws. Parents and school districts may call the EAP and ask for assistance in resolving these special education concerns. Our philosophy is to resolve special education disagreements amicably, with the lowest level of third-party involvement as possible, thereby preventing costly legal entanglements. Given the opportunity to discuss the issues at hand in a less formidable and confrontational venue, both parents and schools can reach agreement while remaining student focused and without undermining the relationships necessary to ensure the smooth delivery of special education services to students with disabilities. 

In addition to the EAP, there are several other dispute resolution options available under the IDEA, including: Individualized Education Program (IEP) facilitation, mediation, state complaints, due process hearings, and expedited due process hearings. A brief overview of each dispute resolution option can be found by clicking on the tabs below. The EAP staff is available to answer questions about each of the dispute resolution options.

There are issues that may be related to special education where the EAP staff is unable to provide assistance, including matters that are outside OPI’s jurisdiction. For example, OPI does not have jurisdiction over Section 504 Plans or claims of discrimination. The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is the agency that has the authority to oversee these issues.  If you have a question that is outside OPI’s authority, we will work with you to try and find additional resources.

The EAP is a voluntary and impartial process and does not provide legal advice to parents or school districts.

For more information please contact: Dispute Resolution Office for Special Education at  (406) 444-2046 .

Montana IDEA Special Education Dispute Resolution Comparison Chart

• Special Education Endorsement Project
• School Psychologist Stipend Program
• Speech Language Pathology Traineeship Program
• University of Montana SIMS Scholars Program (OSEP Funded) Offers scholarships for undergraduate and graduate special education and speech language pathology at UM. 
• Occupational Therapy Stipend (Coming Soon)
• Para Pathways

For questions, contact:

• Annette Viciedo Young
• Tammy Lysons

Hearing Conservation Program Guidelines

Summary Document

HCP Regional Contact List

HCP Map

Please contact Lucy Beltz for general questions.

Sign Language Interpreting Administrative Rule

Interpreter Mentoring, Education and Training (IMET) Self-Paced Online Courses

Important Update

EIPA Performance Test Turnaround Time and New Policy for Retaking the Performance Test

EIPA Written and Performance Assessment Dates: May 1–3, 2026 (Registration opens Dec. 15, 2025)

Learn more and Register for the EIPA Assessment

Please contact Lucy Beltz to register or for general questions. If you have questions about the test itself, please visit the EIPA Diagnostic Center.

• Montana School for the Deaf & Blind
  • Blind & Visually Impaired Outreach Consultant Map
  • Deaf/Hard of Hearing Outreach Consultant Map
• MT Language Developmental Milestones, Assessment Tools, and Parent Resource for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
• HB 619 Language Development Report (2025)
• National Deaf Center

• Montana Empowerment Center
• Montana Association of School Psychologists (MASP)
• Montana Brain Injury Alliance
• Montana Effective Practices Matrix
• Sign up for OPI E-mail Updates (Special Education and Student Supports is at the bottom)