Background
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), reauthorized in 2015 as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), was passed as a civil rights law to provide funding and resources to states, districts, and school leaders to enhance their capacity to meet the strengths and needs of educators and students in their community. Each Title program under ESSA has a specific purpose to provide focused resources to support students who are historically, or currently, marginalized and/or are experiencing barriers to an academically enriching curriculum in a safe and inclusive environment.
Purpose of Monitoring
- Building Relationships – We're in this together. The main objective for the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) is to raise student achievement for Montana's public school children. Through cooperative assessment of the federal programs between the OPI and Montana school districts the quality of services to students will be strengthened and improved
- Technical Assistance – We're here to help. The OPI Federal Programs team provides technical assistance during the review and beyond. It is not the OPI's intent to tell the district how to run its title programs, but rather to answer questions, facilitate dialogue, and exchange ideas and information for program improvement while, at the same time, meeting all federal requirements.
- Compliance – It's the law. Monitoring federal programs helps ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education. Monitoring is intended to be a collaborative partnership between the OPI and districts to ensure compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
While accountability to federal requirements is important, the ultimate goal of monitoring is to provide technical assistance and support districts in their implementation of federal programs.
Notice to all districts: Due to the wide range of district and school parental notification forms, and the fact that many do not meet federal requirements, beginning with School Year (SY) 2021-22, TransACT documents must be used. Those sections where TransACT forms must be used are identified within the Monitoring Tool. The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) pays for a state subscription to TransACT for all Montana districts.
The Montana OPI has partnered with TransACT Communications to provide state approved and legally-reviewed parent notices, forms, and letters at no cost for district and school staff. TransACT Customer Care: support@transact.com | 425-977-2100