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;
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.

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 -- THIS LINK IS BROKEN

2025-26 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 May Virtual Summit will be held on Tuesday, May 5th, from 12:00-1:00 PM. Please Register for the May Virtual Summit by Friday, May 1st.

When: Tuesday, May 5

Where: Microsoft Teams Meeting Link

Who: Superintendents, Principals, Coaches, Teacher Leaders, Teachers

What: CSI Support Huddle

Why: What your team will gain from this work session:

This is an open space to support school needs related to CSI
Collaboration hour

Past summit information: 2025-26 Virtual Summits recordings and resources and the 2024-25 Virtual Summits recordings and resources.

Please reach out to your School Improvement Specialist with any questions.

Additional Upcoming Events can be found here.

Upcoming Event Highlights:

Monday 4.27-Wednesday 4.29, Bozeman

Monday 6.15-Thursday 6.18, Bozeman

Assessment Windows

Monday 2.2-Friday 5.15

Date: Wednesday June 17
Time: 10:15am - 12:15pm
Where: Fireside Lounge in the Student Union

Come visit with your school's CSI Specialist.

This session provides CSI school teams with dedicated time to reflect on data, collaborate, and plan aligned, grant-supported improvement strategies and next steps for the upcoming school year.

When communicating with a school in Comprehensive Status, please adhere to the following guidelines:

CC the District Lead
Use one of the following in the Subject line:
- Action Required
- Time Sensitive
- Information Only
Provide links to any websites or login locations you are referencing
Provide detailed directions for completing the request

Director of School Improvement

Lindsay Mahoney

Lindsay.Mahoney@mt.gov

(406) 444-4438

Lindsay Mahoney
- Email: Lindsay.Mahoney@mt.gov
- Phone: (406) 444-4438
- School Districts
  - Wyola
  - Yellowstone Academy
Julie Gavin
- Email: Julie.Gavin@mt.gov
- Phone: (406) 444-0686
- School Districts
  - Augusta
  - Browning
  - Harlem
  - Hays-Lodge Pole
  - Pendroy
  - Wolf Creek
Brent Harlen
- Email: Brent.Harlen@mt.gov
- Phone: (406) 444-2051
- School Districts
  - Alberton
  - Alder
  - Ashland
  - Lame Deer
  - Ryegate
  - Sunset
  - Victor
  - White Sulphur Springs

Serve as a leadership coach for district administration
Partners with identified schools
Supports the Comprehensive Needs Assessment (Operational and Instructional Components) process
Assists schools in developing a Continuous Improvement Cycle Plan (CIC) including specific strategies
Provides ongoing support in achieving the goals in the CIC
Assists schools in developing processes and procedures
Participates in school leadership team meetings and district leadership meetings
Provides professional development or connects them to other resources
Provides technical assistance in progress monitoring and collecting data
Assists district in establishing an assessment plan
Assist districts in creating calendars for testing, meetings, etc.

Terica Schaumloeffel
- Email: Terica.Schaumloeffel@mt.gov
- Phone: (406) 459-8338
- School Districts
  - Box Elder
  - Hobson
  - Hot Springs
  - Geraldine
  - Geyser
  - Rocky Boy
  - Ronan
  - Valier
Tammy Hall
- Email: Tammy.Hall@mt.gov
- Phone: (406) 444-7728
- School Districts
  - Hardin
  - Lavina
  - Lodge Grass
  - Pryor
  - Wibaux
Michelle Clawson
- Email: Michelle.Clawson@mt.gov
- Phone: (406) 438-1339
- School Districts
  - Brockton
  - Frazer
  - Medicine Lake
  - Poplar
  - Wolf Point

Map of Comprehensive Schools for the 2025-26 school year, based on data year 2024. School districts on this map are: Wyola, Yellowstone Academy, Box Elder, Hobson, Hot Springs, Geraldine, Geyser, Rocky Boy, Ronan, Valier, Augusta, Browning, Harlem , Hays-Lodge Pole, Pendroy, Wolf Creek, Hardin, Lavina, Lodge Grass, Pryor, Wibaux, Alberton, Alder, Ashland, Lame Deer, Ryegate, Sunset, Victor, White Sulphur Springs, Brockton, Frazer, Medicine Lake, Poplar, Wolf Point

eGrants Login

Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA)

The CNA is closed for SY25-26. Results are now available.

All schools in Comprehensive School Improvement are required to use the OPI CNA.

Take the CNA Here CNA Directions CNA Results Request CNA FAQ's

Exit Criteria for
Targeted & Compreshensive Schools

Math English Language Arts Targeted Subgroups Graduation Rates

ESSA Home

Comprehensive Support & Improvement

1-4 Federally Required Indicators

5^th Indicator for Montana Flexibility

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