State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Elsie Arntzen is Pleased with the Progress of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee for Chapter 55 School Accreditation
HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen applauds the progress toward the new state school accreditation standards that the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (NRC) made through June 9. There are currently 101 total rules in Chapter 55 of which 43 have been historically repealed. The Superintendent has not recommended any changes to 13 of the remaining 58 rules. There is also a proposal for recommending five new rules. At this time one-third of the recommendations have reached full or partial consensus. A neutral facilitator from Agency Legal Services has been leading the NRC.
As part of the rulemaking process, an Economic Impact Statement is required through §2-4-405, MCA. This statement is produced via an Economic Impact Survey that is targeted to be released on June 17.
“The statutory process of rulemaking is working,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “I’m so proud of the negotiated rulemaking committee for recognizing the great importance of raising the bar for our school quality standards. The last time a comprehensive overhaul of school accreditation was in 1989, or 33 years ago. It’s about time”
The Superintendent has offered two new recommendations for the June 17 NRC meeting:
- ARM 10.55.717: Braille – align to professional educator preparation program in ARM 10.57.102
- ARM 10.55.718 Sign Language – align from renewal to new language in ARM 10.57 for professional development
The NRC is nearing consensus on:
- ARM 10.55.601: Accreditation Procedures (consensus on all, except 10.55.601(l))
- ARM 10.55.603: Curriculum and Assessment (consensus on all, except 10.55.603(2))
The NRC has reached full consensus on:
- ARM 10.55.604: Variances to Standards
- ARM 10.55.605: Categories of Accreditation
- ARM 10.55.606: Accreditation Process
- ARM 10.55.607: Internships
- ARM 10.55.608: Charter School Application
- ARM 10.55.721: Hazard and emergency plans
- ARM 10.55.801: School climate
- ARM 10.55.802: Opportunity and Educational Equity
- ARM 10.55.804: Gifted and Talented
- ARM 10.55.901: Basic Elementary Education Program
- ARM 10.55.904: High School Program Offerings
- ARM 10.55.905: High School Graduation Requirements
- ARM 10.55.908: School Facility
- ARM 10.55.909: Student records
- ARM 10.55.1801: Library and Media Information Program Delivery Standards
The NRC’s next meetings will be on June 16 and 17 in Helena at the Capitol.
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