State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen Celebrates Successful Math and Reading Grants
HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen partnered with DonorsChoose to offer K-12 public school teachers $500 to purchase teaching and learning materials, supplies, and technology that increase math and reading skills for Montana students. The grants utilized $1.5 million from the state set-aside funds of the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) dollars. Applications were open from August 20 – September 30, 2024.
“This initiative was a gift to our Montana teachers for putting our students first,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “As a teacher for 23 years, I understand the challenges that teachers face when purchasing teaching and learning materials. Academic success is achieved when dollars are spent closest to the learning.”
According to the final report, grants helped fund math and reading projects for 3,332 teachers in 488 of our public schools. Of these projects:
- 57% of the schools with funded projects are rural
- 43% of the schools with funded projects are urban
- 55% supported reading projects
- 45% supported math projects
- 66% of projects supported learning in grades K-5
- 19% of projects supported learning in grades 6-8
- 15% of projects supported learning in grades 9-12
- 56% of all projects purchased books and educational kits and games for students