ESSA Update
March 30, 2023
The Montana OPI is extending public comment to April 19 on the funding waiver related to Title I Schools Support and will be presenting information on this waiver to the Education Advocates on April 19, 2023.
Please see information below and send feedback, input, and questions to ESSAinput@mt.gov
February 14, 2023
The Montana OPI is seeking public comment on a funding waiver related to Title I School Support to extend allowable duration of federal dollars through the 2023-2024 school year.
Dear Partners in Education,
As part of waiver requirements, the OPI is posting an opportunity for public comment pursuant to §8401(b) requirements within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 from the U.S. Department of Education (USED). The USED requires state educational agencies, when seeking waivers from statutory or regulatory requirements, solicit and respond to public comment on the request and provide evidence of the available comment period.
Purpose of the Waiver:
The purpose of this waiver is to extend allowable duration of the subgrants to LEAs for an additional year to include 2023-2024, which will allow for a complete alignment of the Montana Accountability System moving forward. CSI schools were identified in 2017-2018 and set to be in a 3-year cohort; however, due to COVID, this cohort has been extended from three years to six years In seeking this waiver, the OPI will use and ensure its subgrantees use funds under the respective program in accordance with the provisions of all the applicable statutes, regulations, program plans, and applications not subject to this waiver, and will work to mitigate, and ensure its subgrantees work to mitigate, any negative effects that may occur because of the requested waiver.
Funding Waiver:
The funding waiver is on behalf of the OPI and its subgrantees, pursuant to section 1003 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), for the requirements outlined below.
Therefore, the Montana OPI is seeking public comment on this waiver. Any comments on this waiver should be directed to essainput@mt.gov.
Below is a Timeline outlining the process with stakeholder involvement:
February 16, 2023: Public Comment Opens
March 2023: Consultation with the Governor’s office
March 7, 2023: Education Advocates Meeting, 9:30am
March 9, 2023: Presentation & discussion with the Montana Board of Public Education
March 14, 2023: Webinar 1 for public input, 10:30am- 11:30am
Join Zoom:https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/89188262082?pwd=L003TG5acmYzeldCZVNzZWNUNmRBZz09
March 16, 2023: Webinar 2 for public input 3:00pm-4:00pm
Join Zoom: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/85461991092?pwd=YnBCd3R5T0ZoL1orcklod3F1OFJFQT09
March 21, 2023: Webinar 3 to respond to public comment and survey 4:00pm-5:00pm
Join Zoom: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/84618047686?pwd=WHVnV3o0WERrM1lqSEYzZEhGYmRFUT09
March 24, 2023: Public Comment Closes
Please send feedback, input, and questions to ESSAinput@mt.gov