P.O. Box 202501 • Helena, MT 59620-2501
Putting Montana Students First
English Language Arts/ Literacy Content Standards Revisions are in the 'Revision' Phase of the process!
Check back soon for more information on the process of revising this specific set of Content Standards.
Grades K-2 Writing Team
Dana Fitzgale
Florence
Dr. Dana Fitzgale: EdD in Literacy Education
Genevieve Thomas
Whitefish
Genevieve Thomas: MA in SPED, and School Psych, BA in Spanish,
Grades 3-5 Writing Team
Amber Byrd
Helena
Amber Byrd: MA in Elementary Education
Abby Kuhl
Abby Kuhl: MA in Elementary Ed., BA in Elementary Ed.
Grades 6-8 Writing Team
Dana Haring
Kalispell
Dr. Dana Haring: EdD in Curriculum and Instruction, MEd in Educational Leadership: MA in English Teaching, BA in Literature
Karen Polari
Sidney
Karen Polari: MA in Curriculum & Instruction, MA in Library Media Science, BA in Elementary Education, BA in Special Education, BA in Secondary ELA Education
Antonia Malchik*
Antonia Malchik: MFA in Creative Writing- Non-Fiction, BA in Mathematics and English
Kristina Matthews*
Highwood
Kristina Matthews: MA in Philosophy, BS in Psychology, MA in English Teaching Candidate
Jeff Ross
Lolo/Belt
Jeff Ross: MFA in Creative Writing, MA in Secondary English Teaching
Kathy Pfaffinger
Billings
Kathy Pfaffinger: MA in Teaching, BS in Secondary Education, English
Erin Hunt*
Erin Hunt: MA in Science Education, BS in Biology, Education Option
Caitlin Chiller*
Livingston
Caitlin Chiller: MEd in Curriculum and Instruction, BA in English Literature
Interdisciplinary Literacy Caucus*
K-12 Review Team
Jeanne Wdowin
Jeanne Wdowin: M.A. School Administration, BA in Early Childhood through Grade 6
Andrea Meiers
Andrea Meiers: MEd in Leadership, BA in English Education
Beverly Chin
Missoula
Dr. Beverly Chin: PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, MA in English and Higher Education, BA in English and Education
Kari Dahl Huff
Dr. Kari Dahl Huff: PhD in Critical Literacy and English Education, MA in Curriculum and Instruction, BA in Secondary English and Theater
K-12 Reconciliation Team
Casey Olsen
Columbus
Casey Olsen: MA in Secondary English Teaching, BA in Secondary English Teaching
Standards Summary Document Draft:
Reconciliation Team Draft of Proposed Changes (V3)
Review Team Draft of Proposed Changes (V2)
Writing Team Draft of Proposed Changes (V1)
These drafts are still in revision and will go to the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee for the next step in the revision process. The Negotiated Rulemaking Committee will review and have the opportunity to make changes to the draft submitted by the ELA Revision Task Force before the Superintendent submits the proposed standards revisions to the Board of Public Education.
The Board of Public Education (BPE) has not adopted these drafted standards.
Research:
Research for the ELA Standards Task Force was put into briefs by researchers at the Regional Educational Laboratory - Northwest
Funded by the US Department of Education’s Institute of Educational Sciences, the ten Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) partner with educators and policymakers nationwide. to provide support for the development of programs, services, and guidelines. For nearly 60 years, the RELs have collaborated with school districts, state departments of education, and other education stakeholders to help generate and apply evidence, to improve learner outcomes. REL work is change-oriented, rigorous, and high-leverage, supporting consequential local, regional, or statewide decisions about education policies, programs, and practices. RELs contribute to the growing body of research on how experiences within the nation’s education system differ by context and student group, impacting outcomes and identifying potential solutions.
WestEd operates Regional Educational Lab Northwest in partnership with Marzano Research to serve the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
Additional Resources:
Although the Task Force considered many key pieces of research and evidence while writing the proposed standards, some key items that may be of public interest are presented here.
Project Excellence 2009 Montana Standards NAEP 2026 Reading Framework NCTE-ILA Standards IEFA Considerations for ELA Standards The Intersection of Indigenous Langage and Culture Considerations State and Federal Assessment Considerations for ELA Standards Revisions Supporting Multi-Lingual Learners in ELA Standards Revisions Understanding the Science of Reading for ELA Standards Task Force Standards Structure: A Case Study of National and State Standards for ELA Interdisciplinary Literacy Considerations for ELA Standards Revisions Supporting and Integrating CTE in ELA Standards Revisions and The Uses and Implications for AI in ELA and Standards Revisions Considerations
Task Force Materials
The following table presents the meeting agendas retained from the Task Force Development processes of the English standards revision. Viewing these will provide greater insight into the rationale and motivations of the expert volunteers who contributed to this work.
October 7-8 - Reconciliation Meeting - In person
Agenda
August 13, 2024 - Reconciliation Meeting - Virtual
July 29-30, 2024 - Task Force Review Team Meeting - In person
Agenda & Slides
July 15-18, 2024 - Task Force Writing Team Meeting - In person
June 10-12, 2024 -Task Force Collaboration and Calibration meeting - Virtual
Agenda & June 10 Slides June 11 Slides June 12 Slides
May 3, 2024 - Task Force Research Deep Dive Meeting - Virtual
April 19, 2024 - Orientation - Virtual
Standard Resources
The Negotiated Rulemaking Committee for English Language Arts will begin work in the fall of 2024. The application to serve on the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (NRC) are currently being reviewed. Should you have any questions, please reach out to the contacts below.
Justine Alberts
K-12 School Administrators, Parents, Taxpayers
Helena SD Curriculum Director, Former Elementary Principal and Higher Education, Served on NRC for Assessment
Nicole Simonsen
Culbertson
K-12 School Administrators
Former 1st Grade and Elementary Teacher, School Administrator in Culbertson School District
Tawny Cale
Great Falls
K-12 Educator, MT Tribe Representative
HS English Educator and current Indian Education for All Instructional Coach for Great Falls Public Schools
Jodi Carlson
Higher Education Faculty
Director of Education and Teacher Preparation at Rocky Mountain College, previously a 1st Grade teacher for bilingual students
Clifton Grilley
Power
Parent
Montana parent, has served on prior committees for agency
Janelle Beers
Dillon
Parent, Taxpayer, K-12 Educator
MT Small Schools Alliance Executive Director, Previously a school administrator and secondary ELA educator
Barbara Frank
K-12 Administrator, Parent, Taxpayers
Montana Educator for 20+ years, former Elementary principal, and current Curriculum Director for MCPS
Crystal Kain
Polson
K-12 School Administrators, K-12 Teachers, Parents
7-12 Educator, Taught in Class C-AA, Innovation Coordinator for Polson Schools
Erin Ellis
School Administrator, K-12 Educator
Hellgate Elementary Director of Pk-8 Assessment and Curriculum, P-6th Grade and Higher Education experience
Logan Brower
Boulder
K-12 Educator
HS Teacher in Jefferson School District, State Writing Project in Idaho
Sue Corrigan
School District Trustees, K-12 Teachers, Parents, Taxpayers
Retired Nationally Board Certified Special education teacher, MTSBA President
Allissa Christensen
Whitehall
Business Official
Business Manager for Whitehall School District
Jacie Jeffers
Indian Education Instructional Coach, K-12 Educator, Billings SD
Christy Mock-Stutz
OPI
OPI Assistant Superintendent
Marie Judisch
Ledger
Senior Manager of Teaching and Learning
Negotiated Rulemaking for ELA Content Standards - Orientation
Rulemaking Sessions #1, #2, #3 - Helena, MT or Virtual
Rulemaking Sessions #4 & 5 - Virtual Only
Claire Mikeson, ELA & Literacy Instructional Coordinator
Aimee Konzen, Standards, Instruction, and Professional Learning Manager
Marie Judisch, Teaching and Learning Senior Manager
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