What does comprehensive support mean for a school?

 

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.

How are comprehensive schools being supported?

 

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.

Which schools are identified as comprehensive?

Contact Information

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

Upcoming Events

25-26 MENTORMT REGISTRATION 
Spots are still available!
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. 
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 November Virtual Summit will be held on Monday, November 3rd, from 4:00-6:00 PM. Please REGISTER HERE by Thursday, October 30, 2025.

When: Monday, November 3 from 4:00-6:00 PM
Where: Teams Link
Who: School Board Chair, Tribal Leader(s), Superintendents, Principals, Coaches, Teacher Leaders, Teachers, School Community Members
What: Attendance
Why: What your team will gain from this work session:
-Gain insight into current attendance challenges and evidence-based solutions
-Learn strategies for integrating MTSS frameworks to address chronic absenteeism
-Explore practical approaches to engage families and communities in improving attendance
-Access an interactive Padlet of curated resources to support ongoing implementation
-Benefit from real-world examples and success stories that demonstrate measurable improvement
-Strengthen your school or district's capacity to address attendance barriers and promote equity

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:

Monday 9.8-Friday 12.18

Monday 10.13

Monday 10.13-Friday 12.5

  • MAST Test Window #1

Wednesday 10.15, 3:30-4:30 PM, Virtual

  • Preparing to Administer MAST Training

Thursday 10.23, 3:30-4:30 PM, 

CSI Resources

25-26 MENTORMT REGISTRATION
Spots are still available!
The following opportunity is for schools in
Comprehensive School Improvement only.

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. 

Please contact your regional School Improvement Specialist for questions or more information. 

MentorMT Registration

25-26 CSI Map
eGrants Login

Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA)
The SY25-26 CNA is open.

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

 


Professional Development Specific to Montana's ESSA Plan