OPI Receives $3.5 Million Federal Data Systems Grant

March 10, 2020

HELENA—The Office of Public Instruction has received a 4-year, $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences to provide crucial updates to Montana’s statewide longitudinal data system.

“The OPI is committed to a meaningful, data-driven approach to student success while strengthening inter-agency collaboration,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen. “By modernizing our student data systems, we will be able to better assist parents and educators in making their students Montana Ready!”

The funds will be used to modernize and enhance GEMS (Growth and Enhancement of Montana Students), the OPI’s statewide longitudinal data system. GEMS was originally designed and implemented over ten years ago. As technology has evolved and changed, the system has become increasingly difficult to use, maintain, and support. The technological improvements will lay the groundwork for simplified data reporting processes for schools and will help schools more readily access and use their data.

The grant also provides funding to enhance the OPI’s data connections with the Montana University System and establishes new links with tribal colleges and the Montana Department of Labor. This will improve the state’s overall analytics capabilities and enable program managers and policymakers to make timely, accurate, and data-driven decisions, while more effectively measuring the impacts of programs and policies focused on student success.

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CONTACT:   Dylan Klapmeier

                       Director of Communications, Montana Office of Public Instruction

                       dylan.klapmeier@mt.gov

                       406-444-3559