State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen Announces Math and Reading Extended Opportunity Learning Grant for Summer
HELENA - Superintendent Elsie Arntzen is pleased to announce the continuation of the Extended Opportunity Learning Grant (ELO). The ELO will fund math and reading literacy based summer programs for Montana students. This summer is the second year of a three-year $3.8 million grant. The award level for this grant is $25,000. The grant was provided through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funding. The grant is open for new applicants through June 19, 2023, via the online Egrants application portal.
“This summer program is part of my back-to-basics focus on math and reading,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “This is a partnership between schools, non-profit organizations, and families to strengthen academic success even in the summertime. Our communities are fostering innovative teaching and learning opportunities for our Montana students and families.”
The ELO grant is open to schools and other non-profit organizations that meet the following requirements:
- Student participation is at least 40% low-income qualifying.
- Organization has at least 3-5 years of past summer programming experience.
- Active partnership in funding, programming, and/or staffing.
- Focus on Math and Reading academics and includes pre/post testing of students.
- Service delivery method (activities, events, modes of instruction) is evidence-based.
- Goals and objectives connect to content standards (Math and Reading).
- Demonstrate connection to local district(s) ESSER ARP Plans.
During the 2021-2022 afterschool and summer programs, 36 organizations and 12 schools participated in the grant. Currently, in the 2022-2023 school year, there are 24 organizations and 10 schools participating in the 2023 program. Two examples of the programs around the state are:
- Farm to School in Park County
- Children learn about nutrition and the environment through hands-on activities while also focusing on math, literacy, and mental wellness.
- Garden- and cooking-based math and literacy enrichment education.
- The Village Afterschool Enrichment Program in Yellowstone County – “Math Matters to Me”
- Focusing on math skills among grades 2-3 during spring, and grades K-5 during summer.
- Respond to students’ lack of interest in mathematics by showcasing daily uses and encounters with mathematics through games, free play, and field trips.