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)
5th 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;
- 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.
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 February Virtual Summit will be recorded and released on February 2, 2026.
When: Monday, February 2
Where: Recording Link
Who: School Board Chairs, Superintendents, Principals, Coaches, Teacher Leaders, Teachers
What: Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA): How to Conduct a Gap Analysis
Why: What your team will gain from this work session:
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Clear understanding of desired outcomes
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Data-driven decision making
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Prioritize needs
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Align with state and federal requirements
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Know exactly what is or isn’t missing and why
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Strengthen stakeholder engagement
Recordings and other resources shared for past 25-26 Virtual Summits and the 24-25 Virtual Summits.
Please reach out to your School Improvement Specialist with any questions.
Additional Upcoming Events can be found here.
UPCOMING EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Indigenous Morning Greetings Project
Monday 1.5-Friday 3.6
Monday 1.12-Friday 3.6
January, Various Dates and Times
Monday 2.2-Friday 5.15
Friday 2.27