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 24-25 Comprehensive Support Schools Based on Data Year '23
• List of 23-24 Comprehensive Support Schools Based on Data Year '22
• List of 22-23 Comprehensive Support Schools Based on Data Year '19

 

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

25-26 MENTORMT REGISTRATION
MentorMT and the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) are committed to ensuring that your teaching staff receives high-quality mentoring during the 2025–2026 school year. 

If your school or district already has a mentorship program in place, participation in MentorMT is not required. However, we ask that you complete the registration form linked below to share information about your current program.

MentorMT is designed primarily for new teachers, but if you have veteran teachers or staff new to your school who would benefit from mentoring, you are welcome to include them in your registration. Please note that priority will be given to new teachers. Participation in a mentorship program is required for schools in rigorous action status. 

The deadline to register is Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Please reach out to your School Improvement Specialist with any questions.  

MentorMT Registration

 

25-26 VIRTUAL SUMMIT MEETINGS
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 August Virtual Summit will be held on Tuesday, August 12th, from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. Please REGISTER HERE by Friday, August 8th.

When: Tuesday, August 12 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Where: Teams Link
Who: School Board Chairs, Superintendents, Principals, Coaches, Teacher Leaders
What: Overview of Comprehensive School Improvement (CSI)
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 associated assurances and how the TSAR Team can assist you for SY2025-26
- Have an opportunity to ask questions to assist in planning and goal-setting for SY2025-26

Recordings and other resources shared for the 24-25 school year can be found here.
Please reach out to your School Improvement Regional Lead with any questions.
 

Additional Upcoming Events can be found here.

Upcoming Event Highlights: 

• Wednesday 8.6-Friday 8.8, Big Sky

  • Big Sky Literacy Summit

Accountability Summary

Academic Testing Cut Scores (Assessment Page)

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

Professional Development Calendar Template

Rigorous Action Teacher Leader Meeting Calendar

Walkthroughs One-Pager