Superintendent Arntzen Outlines New School Accreditation Process

• Brian O'Leary
• May 09 2023

HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen will outline the new school accreditation process for the 2023-2024 school year during the May 11-12 Board of Public Education (BPE) meeting. This new accreditation process is a result of the BPE approving changes to Chapter 55 of Montana’s Administrative Rules on School Accreditation Standards. School accreditation standards include rules on curriculum, class sizes, teacher and staff qualifications, Indian Education for All, and student learning assessment to ensure all students receive a quality education. The new school accreditation rules take effect on July 1, 2023.

“A focus on student learning and academic growth through quality teachers is a shift from the antiquated check-the-box system,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Many Montana voices aided the development of this new student-centered process. This accreditation system emphasizes accountability and responsibility at the local level to put Montana students first.”

The new accreditation process has three steps:

1. Assurance Standards

• The assurance standards include School Leadership, Educational Opportunity, Academic Requirements, and Program Area Standards. To determine the assurance standards levels a 4-point rubric will be utilize Rubrics are tools that have a list of criteria for an effective learner-centered system based on assurance standards. The rubrics also contain descriptors in a performance scale that inform the school what they need to do or improve within a standard to obtain a regular status. The scores for the rubrics will be totaled for an overall score for assurance standards. Included in the total for assurance standards will be two scores for the Integrated Strategic Action Plan (ISAP). The ISAP ensures a learner-centered system and establishes a plan for continuous education improvement. It will be based on a comprehensive needs assessment with meaningful stakeholder input and feedback. The plan must clarify 2-3 action steps that will be taken to achieve the district graduate profile and reflect a continuous improvement process.
  • The 4-point rubric includes:
    1. Family and Community Engagement
    2. Professional Development
    3. Academic Programming including how the education program enables students to recognize the district and unique cultural heritages of American Indians
    4. Assurance checklist for required accreditation policies

2. Student Performance Standards

• Elementary and K-8 schools will submit evidence for student learning outcomes in Math and Reading/English Language Arts (ELA)
• High Schools will submit evidence for postsecondary (college and career readiness) outcomes

3.Final Accreditation Status

• This will be determined by combining the assurance and performance standards

Schools will receive one of five accreditation statuses:

• Regular
• Regular with Minor Deviations
• Advice
• Deficiency
• Intensive Assistance

The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) will offer work sessions on the ISAP during the OPI Summer Institute, June 19-23, 2023. OPI will offer continued help sessions for the Annual Data Collection for the new accreditation process in the fall.