P.O. Box 202501 • Helena, MT 59620-2501
November 4, 2025 - At this time, all available Waterford licenses have been claimed by eligible students. We will, however, be compiling a waitlist if licenses become available. If a currently assigned license is not being actively utilized, it will be turned off and reallocated to another eligible student on the waitlist. Please note that students who are not utilizing their licenses by January 2nd will have their access removed so that another eligible student may benefit from the program.
HB 338 passed during the 2025 Montana legislative session. This bill broadens the scope as it explicitly adds numeracy to the interventions, enabling support for both reading and math skills. HB 338 removes the language that screenings may occur in April, May, or June, allowing for greater flexibility in determining the timing of evaluations.
In 2023, the Montana legislature passed an Early Literacy Targeted Intervention Act, designed to improve the number of students reading proficiently by third grade. 20-7-1803, MCA, provides three different types of interventions that districts may offer their eligible students: classroom-based, home-based, and jumpstart programs.
A child must have parental consent to be screened for participation in any of the established early literacy intervention programs. A child is determined eligible by the evaluation criteria selected by the board of public education.
As more details are solidified, the Office of Public Instruction will continue to create guidance documents and resources for professional learning and best practices.
This program is designed to help children build foundational reading and literacy skills before entering or while in early grades, supporting long-term academic success. Students must be identified as eligible by their local school district to participate.
New! Watch a video recording of a meeting with Waterford representatives. During this meeting, districts were given information to help them support eligible students and their families.
Data Collection Schedule
Updated for 2025/26 School Year AIM/IC reporting instructions for the Early Learning Home-Based Program
Updated for 2025/26 School Year AIM/IC reporting instructions for Early Learning Classroom-Based Program
Updated for 2025/26 School Year AIM/IC reporting instructions for Early Learning Jumpstart Program
PDF of Data Collection #1
PDF of Data Collection #2
K-12 Content Standards and Instruction Home