Montana Mathematics Content Standards and Resources

Montana Math Minute Logo

The Montana Math Minute contains news related to math in Montana, resources for teachers, and information on professional development. This month's features include recommendations for teachers who'd like to engage their students by exposing them to the mathematics of <b>fair season</b> newly released resources for the new math standards, multiple math professional learning webinar opportunities, and relevant, helpful resources. Future editions will include district and school spotlights when available. Districts, schools, or teachers interested in being featured in future Math Minute editions can fill out this form.

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New Teacher Learning Hub Course Available:

OPI’s math coordinator is pleased to announce the launch of a new math course on the Teacher Learning Hub: Mathematical Practice #1: Problem-Solve and Persevere!

This free, 3-PDU course aims to support educators in identifying key changes, reflect on current practices, and intentionally design instructional opportunities that support students in developing problem-solving and perseverance skills.

Keep an eye out for forthcoming courses on each of the other mathematical practices.

Math Professional Learning Webinars!

 This free webinar series is designed to support school-based Montana educators through the adoption and implementation of the new standards, effective July 2026.

Year one has completed and recordings are available under the "Pre-Recorded Webinars" section of this Math Professional Learning Tab. Year two will be beginning again in September of 2026. In year two, we will focus on moving from awareness to application by building a community of educators committed to working on implementation of the new standards using highly effective strategies and high quality instructional moves. Each session will include suggested "take-back" activities that participants can use to carry on the work with their teams.

A monthly session for K-8 educators will occur on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 4:00pm - 5:00pm

A monthly session for 9-12 educators will occur on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Interested in joining us in September?

Register Here Today!

Please note that OPI will only issue PDU certificates to attendees participate in the live sessions and complete the requirements in compliance with the Administrative Rules of Montana. Educators working in schools may be able to request PDU certificates from their administrators, depending on local policies.

Math Community

MCTM: Montana Council of Teachers Of Mathematics

MCTM Bulletins:

  • The  2024 MCTM Math Contest has been announced and registration is now open. Consider registering your students for your region's contest. MCTM offers scholarships to Juniors and Seniors who compete in this event.
  • Prebble Award (deadline for applications June 30): This award is issued to Montana Math Educators who have been great teachers and leaders.
  • Longhart Award(deadline for applications October 12): Funds professional development for teachers with 5 or more years of experience.
  • Native American Scholarship (Due Nov. 15): Scholarship awarded to Native American Students wishing to become educators who will teach math (K-12).
  • Early Career Scholarship (due May 1): Funds attendance at MCubed Conference.
  • Small Classroom Grants (Due Nov. 30): Awarded to teachers for the purchase of materials to improve math instruction.
  • Teacher Scholarship for Professional Development (Due Nov. 30): Assists in offsetting the costs for attending instate or out-of-state, in-person or online, professional development events.

NCTM: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

New Math Standards, July 2026, Learn More by clicking here or visiting our standards revision webpage
The Montana Mathematics Content standards revision process began in 2022 and The Board of Public Education has adopted the proposed revisions with a planned implementation date of July 2026! To learn more about the revision recommendations made by the Task Force, view a timeline for projected implementation, keep informed of Board of Public Education decisions, and review relevant materials and research, click the banner, or visit our  Mathematics Revisions webpage. 

Satchel

To access a machine-readable and interactive version of the official Montana Content Standards for Mathematics, please visit the  Montana Satchel. The Satchel version of the standards can be uploaded to student information systems, curriculum mapping programs, and a variety of other uses.  Learn more about the CASE Network  CASE Network FAQ. 

2026 Montana Mathematics Content Standards 
(Effective July 2026)

Guidance documents are currently in development and all available guidance can be found on the  Mathematics Revisions webpage. Once guidance development is complete, we will consolidate resources here. For now, please access the revisions webpage. Thank you. 

Standards Documents/Curriculum Guides 

  • PK-12 Standards and Guidance  - Provides a PK-12 perspective on the new standards. Contains all new standards, including practice standards, assessment, financial literacy, course and career pathways for high school, and other appendices. Does not contain a standard-by-standard break down for each grade level. These will be available in the grade-level specific documents. 
  • Kindergarten Expanded Guidance  - Provides kindergarten-specific elaborations and guidance. Contains general notes, instructional and IEFA examples, sample proficiency scales, financial literacy guidance, and PK-K-1 vertical alignment resources. Also contains expanded kindergarten-specific guidance on each of the math practice standards. 
  • Grade 1 Expanded Guidance  - Provided grade-1 specific elaborations and guidance. Contains  general notes, instructional and IEFA examples, sample proficiency scales, financial literacy guidance, and K-1-2 vertical alignment resources. Also contains expanded Grade 1-specific guidance on each of the math practice standards. 
  • Grade 2 Expanded Guidance - Coming Soon! Undergoing drafting process! 
The OPI Math Coordinator is working diligently to develop expanded guidance documents for each grade level. Resources will be posted and updates as soon as possible. We thank you for your patience and understanding. 
 

High School Support Documents 

  •   Recommended High School Math Pathways (visual version)  - This document, developed by the High School Task Force, offers formal recommendations regarding pathways available to high school students. Whether students aspire to attend a four-year university, a two-year college, trade school, join the military, pursue an apprenticeship, or engage in on-the-job training, this pathways document outlines which option may be most advantageous for the student, based on their intended career field.  Please note that a screen-reader, accessible copy of this document can be found as an appendix in the  PK-12 guidance document. 
  • High School Math Course Recommendations (visual version)  - This document has been developed by the High School Task Force to offer educators and districts multiple course progression options, including both traditional and integrated pathways, to help schools structure 9-12 mathematics experiences. The appendix also includes recommendations for upper-division mathematics courses to support students preparing for informed citizenship, advanced careers, college-level mathematics, or military pathways. It is important to note that these are recommendations, not mandates. Many schools use these as a starting point and make modifications that best fit their curricular resources and district priorities.  Please note that a screen-reader, accessible copy of this document can be found as an appendix in the  PK-12 guidance document. 
 

Supporting Research Handouts from the Regional Education Laboratory

These research reports were prepared by the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Northwest from the National Center for Education Evaluation at the Institute of Education Sciences. These reports guided the standards revision process. 

 

2011 Montana Mathematics Content Standards 
(Effective until June 2026)

Professional Development Request Form

Hoping to get some professional development from our math coordinator? Fill out our professional development request form! We are happy to explore how we can meet your needs for professional learning that expands math instructional practice, standards implementation, or support for the specific needs of your school or district.

Any organization that works with educators to bring mathematics instruction to Montana students is welcome to fill out the form. Please be advised that a request does not guarantee in person training will be provided. Each request will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Featured OPI Events:

Montana Math: Monthly Math Implementation Series

This free webinar series is designed to support school-based Montana educators through the adoption and implementation of the new standards, effective July 2026.

Year one has completed and recordings are available under the "Pre-Recorded Webinars" section of this page. Year two will be beginning again in September of 2026. In year two, we will focus on moving from awareness to application by building a community of educators committed to working on implementation of the new standards using highly effective strategies and high quality instructional moves. Each session will include suggested "take-back" activities that participants can use to carry on the work with their teams.

A monthly session for K-8 educators will occur on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 4:00pm - 5:00pm

A monthly session for 9-12 educators will occur on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Interested in joining us in September?

Register Here Today!

Please note that OPI will only issue PDU certificates to attendees participate in the live sessions and complete the requirements in compliance with the Administrative Rules of Montana. Educators working in schools may be able to request PDU certificates from their administrators, depending on local policies.

Featured External Events:

STEM Summer Institute

When: August 3rd - 5th

Where: Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.

Who: Of interest to K-12 educators from all content specialties, roles, and settings.

What: Professional learning is available across multiple subject areas and topics. There will me multiple math learning opportunities across each day. There will also be additional topics such as Data Literacy, AI in the classroom, STEM integration, Place-Based Learning, and more.

How Much: $295 Registration Fee

Funding Assistance: Many school districts may have funding for professional learning available. There are also rooms available with University housing for lower costs than area hotels (available through the registration process). There are scholarships available through Data Science 4 Everyone. Applications are due April 30th! Multiple discounts are available for educators who are registering as a group, members of MCTM, or working for School Services of Montana membership districts.

Register Here Today!

MCTM Montana Math Meet (MCubed)

When: August 3rd

Where: Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.

Who: Of interest to K-12 teachers of mathematics.

What: Professional learning is available in the area of mathematics education. This event empowers the participants as the experts - each sharing best practices.

How Much: Free Registration

Funding Assistance: Many school districts may have funding for professional learning available.

Register Here Today!

Keep checking back! As soon as new opportunities for professional learning are announced, I will share them here. If you know of any opportunities you would like to see listed here, please email our Math Instructional Coordinator.

Pre-Recorded Webinars:

The Montana OPI Mathematics Instructional Coordinator has developed some self-guided webinars to support professional learning. While these videos do not qualify for professional development units on their own, some come with a facilitator guides that make recommendations to educators regarding how to leverage the video into a professional learning experience.

Montana Math: Monthly Math Implementation Series

This free webinar series was designed to support school-based Montana educators by building awareness around the adoption and implementation of the new standards, effective July 2026.

This series offered practical guidance, job-embedded strategies, support for curriculum alignment efforts, and create a community of professionals engaged in a shared learning experience.

If you would like to join in on year 2 of this learning experience, where we will move from awareness to application, to register here. Sessions will begin August 2026!

Session Recordings:

Series Google Drive with slide decks and participant handouts

Facilitator Guide Coming Soon!

Big Sky Standards: Real-World Data

Data Science 4 Everyone partnered with OPI to bring a free, monthly, professional learning series to Montana’s educators.

This series addressed why data skills are woven into the new MT math standards, why they matter for students today, how they can drive engagement in the classroom, and so much more!

The perfect audience for this is any educator PK-12, who teaches content that involves data - from math to history. Feel hesitant that a data literacy webinar may not be for you? Check out our recordings and you'll see - Data Science really is 4 Everyone!

Session Recordings:

Digging Deeper Series: Exploring the Montana Mathematics Practice Standards (2026)

In each digging deeper video, we explore the significant changes, define proficiency, describe the traits of rich learning tasks, and articulate what teachers can model to support student success, for each mathematical practice. Each video includes sections for you to stop and reflect, apply the concepts to your own practice, reflective prompts, and a reflective activity designed to support educators in this work. We will be creating a Teacher Learning Hub Course on each of these in the future, so be on the lookout!

Humanizing Math: Grounding Mathematics in the Stories of the People Who Saw Its Beauty

Facilitator Guide: This document provides guidance to Montana's educators regarding the use of this video as a professional development opportunity which results in OPI Professional Development Units (PDUs). Additionally, this document contains all the resources and documents mentioned in the video - from posters to decorate your classroom, to lesson plans to inform instruction, these free documents were curated and created to support Montana's teachers.

Instructional Resources

To view some grade-level specific instructional resources and research in mathematics education, consider visiting our Math Resources and Research Padlet! Our Math instructional coordinator will update this regularly with new resources to love and old ones you forgot about! She will also include some high-quality research along with some of her favorite podcasts and YouTube videos! Whether you're looking for ongoing small-dose professional development, or a new instructional tool to use in your classroom, this Padlet will have something to check out!

Curriculum Selection Resources

Free Online Educational Resources (OER):

Organizations:

Awards

Data Science Resources

Data Science for Everyone provides several free resources for Montana Educators.

Check out their:

Montana Math Standards are now digitally accessible!

Montana has partnered with Common Goods Learning to put all your standards and resources in one location - the Satchel! This program presents standards as an interactive framework that integrates with student records systems like PowerSchool and Infinite Campus to support standards-based grading programs, allow teachers to move between grade levels seamlessly, and find all the relevant resources for standards in one location.

Soon, educators will see all relevant guidance, lesson planning resources, related skills map, and associations with other frameworks in one location! Keep checking back for updates!

OPI Curriculum Review and Selection Documents Now Available!

The K-12 Content Standards team has revised and developed updated Curriculum Review and Selection Documents to assist educators in conducting curriculum reviews and selecting new content-area curriculum for their districts. The documents detail the steps of the curriculum implementation cycle, provide checklists for reviewing and selecting curriculum, and defines curriculum, standards, and high quality instructional materials, in addition to providing resources, templates, and guidance on forming curriculum committees and communicating about the curriculum review and implementation process with educational and community stakeholders.

Curriculum and Standards Alignment Resources!

The Standards Alignment Mapping Tool is a simple tool for districts or educators who are taking an existing curriculum and aligning the new standards within each unit. This tool can be used to assess a unit, the Common Core Standards previously covered in the unit, the corresponding Montana Math Standard (2026), determine the alignment level, and make notes for modifying the lesson. It includes a simple kindergarten example to support understanding of the use of the tool.

The Montana State Standards are distinct from the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). While some Montana standards remain similar to their CCSS counterparts, many have been significantly revised or newly developed. This correspondence information is provided as a reference tool to help educators understand where conceptual connections may exist between the two sets of standards. It is important to note that this correspondence does not imply equivalence. Educators should not assume that a CCSS-aligned resource automatically addresses the expectations and requirements of the Montana State Mathematics Standards. Rather, this tool is intended to support the process of evaluating existing materials, identifying areas of overlap or deviation, and making informed decisions about curriculum and instruction alignment.

For educators seeking to do vertical alignment work in mathematics, please explore the vertical alignment appendices included in each of the grade level expanded guidance documents for the new math standards.

The High School Math Course Recommendations resource supports high school educators in understanding which standards may align with which courses. This resource, created by the Math Revisions Task Force and OPI, provides guidance for both traditional (Algebra 1 - Geometry - Algebra 2) pathways and integrated (Integrated Math I, II, & III) pathways, along with recommendations for upper-level mathematics elective courses.

Differentiation and Student Supports Planning

EdReady Montana

  • EdReady is a free Montana-based program through MTDA, ready to help schools with support for math programming in grades 5 to 12 identifying and addressing gaps and gains for fall, ACT Skill Prep, and providing supplemental class material for online/blended or face to face instruction.

Student Achievement Partners - Priority Math Standards

  • This document provides guidance for the field about the content priorities by leveraging the structure and emphases of college- and career-ready mathematics standards.

Coherence Mapping tool- grades K- Algebra II

  • This spreadsheet is designed to help math teachers and leaders better understand the potential consequences of leaving gaps in their mathematics curriculum. It is a model of how many lessons and hours are needed to teach sequences of standards as defined by the Coherence Map. Created by Raymond Johnson, Mathematics Specialist, Colorado Department of Education.

Cognitively Demanding (Rich) Math Tasks

  • This free digital resources contain Cognitively Demanding (Rich) Math Tasks to assist with engaging students in learning mathematics with technology online or face-to-face. This document was created by Hawaii Department of Education.

Unlocking Algebra: What the Data Tells us About Helping Students Catch Up

  • This free digital brief contains research-backed suggestions for how to make a big impact on students' mathematical proficiency to overcome the algebra 1 inflection point in education.

Diagnostic and Assessment tools with next-step guidance

Ed Ready Montana

  • EdReady Montana is ready to help support math grades 5 to 12 including ACT Skill Prep, ID gaps and gains for fall.

New Classroom’s Diagnostics and Academic Road Map

Gooru Education

  • Navigator for Instructors helps instructors monitor learners’ progress, engage the class with rich-media content, and provide Go Live Assessments for real-time updates. This data informs instructor suggestions for additional activities to help learners achieve mastery.

New Graduation Requirements:

The graduation requirements in Montana have been expanded to include financial literacy. (ARM 10.55.906)

It states that "In order for students to graduate, they must meet the content and performance standards," including "1/2 unit of economics or financial literacy within the 2 units of social studies, the 2 units of mathematics, or the 1 unit of career and technical education"

This requirement goes into effect for the class of 2026 graduates.

Financial Literacy in the Math Standards:

There are many concepts related to financial literacy that exist within the Math Content Standards.

Please note that the Montana Math Content Standards have been revised. Now that these standards have been formally adopted and an expectation has been set by the Board of Public Education that all schools fully implement these standards in July 2026, OPI has created an appendix document that guides understanding of financial literacy across the mathematics standards (2026).

For additional guidance on these new expectations, and for information regarding how schools can support students in meeting the financial literacy requirements, please visit the Career and Technical Education Webpage.

 

All adults in a child's life are natural teachers that support that child's reasoning, discourse, and problem solving skill development. Here are a few resources that support the partnership between schools and adults at home in improving students' math skills, K-12.

Online Resources for Families

Math at Home

  • This organization, backed by the Maier Math Foundation and the Math Learning Center create activities that can be used by students, families, and teachers to enrich mathematical learning - for free! These resources are available for PK-5 concepts.

DREME - Family Math Kits and Resources

  • DREME (Development and Research in Early Math Education) has prepared a number of great family resources for educators to share with the families in their school community. These resources will foster family engagement and partnership in student learning.

Daphne Draws Data

  • This book comes with free classroom resources and the author has created a "Data Detectives" program for adult volunteers to work with students to bring data explorations to young learners for free!

Young Mathematicians

  • A website that offers math games and kits to build student understanding of mathematics concepts in the classroom or at home. Each game includes a video or explanation to help adults learn how to play with their students. Most of the resources are available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian. Teachers or adults can also opt to purchase game kits if they would like, for home use.

PBS Learning Media

  • PBS Learning Media provides K-12 resources to support student learning in many subjects, including math. Students can access videos, lessons, media, and interactive games to support their learning and understanding.

Bedtime Math

  • Bedtime Math offers short stories to read to children accompanied by quick math tasks from the story. This enriches learning and offers students opportunities to discuss math with their families in exciting and engaging ways.

DREME Children's Books that Foster a Love of Math

  • DREME has compiled a list of books that are great for supporting early math learning for children. This provides an opportunity for children to begin to develop early mathematical fluency while engaging in an activity with adults they love - reading stories!

Games to Play at Home

Many games help support math skills for learners of all ages. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Uno
  • Set
  • Guess Who?
  • Mancala
  • Connect Four
  • Battleship
  • Sequence
  • Yahtzee
  • Monopoly
  • Sudoku
  • Phase 10
  • Mighty Mind
  • IQ Puzzler or Kanoodle
  • Lego Bricks or Lego Duplo
  • Perplexus Maze Ball
  • Magnetic Building Tiles (such as Magnatiles)
  • and so much more!

Online Math Tutoring and Exploration Applications

EdReady Montana

  • A Montana-based program developed by Montana Digital Academy to support students in improving their math or English skills. This program is free to all students, and many schools employ it in their buildings meaning your student may already have an account. Don’t worry - even if they don’t they can still access this study aid for free.

Teach Your Monster: Number Skills

  • Teach Your Monster: Number Skills helps early learners build number sense through engaging mini-games involving counting, number recognition, and simple arithmetic. Building comfort with numbers early helps children develop confidence and fluency with math in school and prepares them for using numbers in everyday situations like counting change or measuring ingredients.

Code.org

  • Code.org is a free, kid-friendly platform that introduces students to computer science through drag-and-drop coding puzzles, creative design, and interactive games. Coding helps students develop structured thinking and perseverance. It also opens doors to future careers in technology and builds the logical reasoning skills.

Math Learning Center: Pattern Shapes

  • Pattern Shapes was developed by the Math Learning Center as a free web and app-based tool that allows students to explore how shapes fit together. This tool is great for developing early geometry and fraction sense, which are crucial in the real world (e.g., visual arts, construction, culinary arts).

Scratch

  • Scratch was founded my Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to let kids create animations and games using block-based coding. Scratch teaches structured thinking and creativity, supports math practice through game design, and builds digital literacy, which are areas in high demand for career training.
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