Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Releases Economic Impact Survey for Chapter 55 School Accreditation Standards

• Brian O'Leary
• June 20 2022

HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen is encouraging all Montanans to complete an economic impact survey on 10 of the proposed changes to Montana’s school accreditation rules, which are housed in Chapter 55 of Montana’s Administrative Rules. This survey will be used to develop an economic impact statement as required per §2-4-405, MCA during the rulemaking process. The statement will determine if there are any substantial cost implications associated with the proposed rule changes. The Education Interim Committee will receive and review the impact statement.

“Transparency through public input has guided the entire rulemaking process,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “This survey is another level of engaging all Montanans in our children’s education. These changes are one step toward focusing on local control in defining quality education.”

The survey includes a review of the language for the proposed new rules and amendments. The questions are about the available resources, personnel, and professional development that a local school district may need for the implementation of the following proposed changes:

• 55.603 - Expanding multiple measures in the district assessment plans.
• 55.712 - Providing flexibility for local school districts to determine the resources needed when elementary classrooms are overloaded.
• 55.714 - Updating the Professional Development rule.
• 55.723 - Enhancing the existing Mentorship and induction plans that are required by local boards.
• 55.801 - Including a survey tool to measure perceptions of stakeholders for school climate.
• 55.803 - Adding the need to assess and supply the learning technology for each student within the Learner Access rule.
• 55.806 - Adding English Language Learners to the Special Education and Gifted and Talented subgroups, per a current federal requirement for districts to provide educational services for English learners.
• 55.904 and 10.55.905 - Including Civics/Government and Economic or Financial Literacy within the established required High School offerings and graduation requirements.
• 55.908 - Adding state to the federal accessibility standards for facilities.

The survey is open from June 20 – July 5. Please click here to begin the survey.

In September 2020, the Montana Board of Public Education agreed to open the rules for recommend changes to ARM 10, Chapter 55: Accreditation Standards. From September 2020 to December 2021, the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) researched the needs of Montana schools and how to better serve students through updates to the accreditation standards. Proposed changes to the accreditation standards require that the State Superintendent establish an independent negotiated rulemaking committee (NRC) under § 20-7-101, MCA. The 21 members selected to serve on the NRC in accordance with § 20-7-101(2), MCA, began meeting on February 24, 2022. The NRC reviewed 63 individual rules and determined that 10 of these should be included on the economic impact survey. Detailed information about the members of the NRC, agendas, meeting minutes, and recordings can be found on the OPI website here.

If you have questions about the economic impact survey, please contact Julie Murgel at Julie.murgel@mt.gov, or 406-444-3172.

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