State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Announces Final Outcome of Chapter 55 Negotiated Rulemaking Committee
HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen is thankful for the dedication of the Chapter 55 Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (NRC) as they conclude their work. Accreditation standards that define school quality are housed in Chapter 55 of Montana’s Administrative Rules. The NRC met 18 times, beginning February 24, and held the last round of negotiations on July 15. In total, a consensus was reached on 49 of the 50 individual negotiated rules.
“The Negotiated Rulemaking Committee’s work is commendable as they put their Montana spirit into these important student-centered negotiations,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “These recommended changes were reached through a consensus model and were focused on Montana’s treasured local control. This shifts our outdated adult-focused accreditation standards and truly puts our Montana students first.”
On July 15, the NRC reached a consensus on one rule: ARM 10.55.709 – Library Media Services. The NRC did not reach a consensus on one rule: ARM 10.55.710 – Assignment of School Counseling Staff.
A third economic impact survey was sent to a list of over 20,000 public school advocates by Superintendent Arntzen at the request of the NRC on July 15. This survey will close on July 21 and covers the requirements for the assignment of library media specialists to content and program delivery services and the alignment of the requirements for school counselors to national standards.
The Board of Public Education (BPE) received a preliminary draft packet of 48 rules and an economic impact statement on 12 of those rules on July 12. The final set of recommendations to Chapter 55, including ARM 10.55.709 and 10.55.710, and the results of the third economic impact survey will be sent to BPE the week of July 25. The Superintendent’s recommendations will be the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee’s consented language, including the last agreed-upon language for the Assignment of School Counseling Staff. The BPE will open the rules for public comment under the Montana Administrative Procedure Act (MAPA) process. In early 2023, the BPE will adopt new school accreditation rules.
###