Comprehensive Support & Improvement

 

Montana's system of differentiation under ESSA uses four federally required indicators plus Montana's own fifth indicator to identify schools as either Comprehensive, Targeted, or Universal.  This system focuses on providing supports where they are most needed. 

Montana ESSA Accountability

1-4 Federally Required Indicators

• Academic Achievement on Statewide Assessments: ELA/Reading & Math
• Academic Growth on Statewide Assessments ELA/Reading & Math (K-8 Only)
• English Learner Progress
• Graduation Rates (HS only)

5^th Indicator for Montana Flexibility

• Attendance
• College & Career Ready (HS Only)
• Science Assessment (Grades 5 & 8)

Schools identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement meet one or more of the following criteria:

• are in the lowest performing 5% of all Title I schools in the state;
• have a high school graduation rate of less than 67%; and/or
• have consistently underperforming subgroups.

Every three years, the OPI will identify schools for comprehensive support and improvement beginning with the 2018-2019 school year. The OPI will use data from the 2016-2017 school year in order to notify schools during the spring of 2018.

 

Schools identified for comprehensive support are working in partnership with the schools, district, and the OPI to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of both operational (i.e., school board efficiency, school climate, and student engagement) and instructional components (i.e., leadership, professional development, and curriculum and standards).

All schools identified for comprehensive support and improvement are developing and implementing a Continuous School Improvement Plan based on the comprehensive needs assessment.

Specific strategies include:

• Building community capacity to support kindergarten transitions;
• Building school board efficiency through a school board coach;
• Providing wraparound services to students and their families (e.g., mental and physical health services, mentoring);
• Engaging students in school improvement through youth voice and advocacy work;
• Supporting culturally responsive practices, particularly for American Indian communities;
• Implementing systemic literacy and math improvements through specialized instructional personnel including a variety of educators, as well as library media and digital literacy and math specialists; and
• Use of the Montana Early Warning System to identify students at risk of dropping out of school, apply targeted interventions based on student needs, and track interventions over time to determine if the interventions are  working.

 

• List of 2023 Comprehensive Support Schools
• List of 2022 Comprehensive Support Schools
• List of 2019 Comprehensive Support Schools

 

Lindsay Mahoney, Director of School Improvement Unit, Department of School Innovation & Improvement, 406-444-4438.

Lindsay.Mahoney@mt.gov

 

CSI Regional Map - School Improvement Team Regional Leads

Join us for regular Virtual Summit meetings throughout the 24-25 school year.

The purpose of ongoing summits is to foster communication and connections between stakeholders at CSI schools. This is also a way to give Tier 2 instruction and guidance while fostering regional relationships.

The first summit for the 24-25 school year will be held on Tuesday, August 6th, from 9:00-11:00. Please REGISTER HERE by Friday, August 2nd.

When: Tuesday, August 6th at 9:00-11:00
Where: Teams link
Who: Administrators, School Board Members, District Leadership Team (DLT)
What: Responsibilities of CSI schools + Profile of a Graduate with OPI School Improvement + TSARR Teams
Why/ What your team will gain from this work session:
- Understanding of the Comprehensive School Improvement assurances and responsibilities

- How the School Improvement Team can assist you reach your goals throughout the school year
- Go over the Profile of a Graduate, associated requirements, and how the TSARR Team can assist you for SY2024-25
- Have an opportunity to ask questions to assist in planning and goal-setting for SY2024-25

Please see this document for a complete list of the 23-24 resources that were shared.

Please reach out to your School Improvement Regional Lead with any questions.

MAST Roadshow

• MAST Roadshow, please register by Friday, August 1st.
  • Thursday 8.8, 10:00-12:00 Havre
  • Friday 8.9, 8:00-10:00, Wolf Point
  • Friday 8.9, 2:00-4:00, Miles City
  • Monday 8.12, 8:00-10:00, Lewistown
  • Monday 8.12, 2:00-4:00, Lockwood
  • Wednesday 8.14, 2:30-4:30, Great Falls
  • Thursday 8.15, 2:00-4:00, Belgrade
  • Friday 8.16, 8:00-10:00, Missoula
  • Friday 8.16, 2:00-4:00, Kalispell

2024 Summer Egrants Tour

The Montana Office of Public Instruction will be hosting the 2024 Summer Egrants tour in various locations throughout the state. Please see the list below for specific dates and locations, all meetings are from 8:30-4:00. No registration is required to attend.

• Thursday, July 25: Helena, Helena College
• Tuesday, July 30: Laurel, Laurel MS
• Wednesday, July 31: Glendive, Glendive HS
• Thursday, August 1: Glasgow, Glasgow HS
• Friday, August 2: Lewistown, Lewistown HS
• Tuesday, August 6: Havre, Havre MS
• Wednesday, August 7: Kalispell, Glacier HS
• Thursday, August 8: Missoula, MCPS Learning Lab
• Friday, August 9: Manhattan, Manhattan HS

Benchmark Assessments One-Pager

CSI Budget Calendar 24-25 & Title I Spending One-Pager

District Leadership Team One-Pager

Evidence-Based Interventions One-Pager

Family & Community Engagement One-Pager

Gap Analysis/Action Plan One-Pager

Graduate Profile Development: Engaging Montana Tribes

Planning Time One-Pager

Walkthroughs One-Pager