Department of Education Services

The Department of Education Services

The Department provides leadership and supervision to the five divisions listed below:

The Accreditation Division assists school districts in the implementation of the Montana Accreditation Standards and monitors district and school progress to meet or exceed these rules. The Division supports continuous education improvement in all Montana schools to improve teaching and learning for all. The Division reviews school program offerings, staffing, classroom loads, and other school practices for compliance with the Montana School Accreditation Standards and recommends school accreditation status to the Board of Public Education. The Division provides assistance to schools, districts, and teacher education programs to align standards, curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional development.

The Division staff coordinates, develops, implements, evaluates and reports continuous education improvement efforts to help ensure that all Montana children meet or exceed high learning expectations, and that all educators meet high professional learning expectations. The Division provides training and technical assistance for regional on-site peer accreditation reviews. The Accreditation Division supports several education programs that enhance the quality of education in Montana. Some of these programs are: Learn and Serve Montana, Technology Literacy Challenge Fund Grants, Eisenhower Professional Development, Character Education, Literacy and Read Montana Initiative.

Division Mission:
To improve teaching and learning for all through leadership, coordination and collaboration.

Goals:

• Provide information and assistance to district and school personnel to understand, implement, and comply with the accreditation standards
• Support schools and districts so that all students can meet or exceed the standards
• Facilitate and deliver quality instruction and support through focused professional development
• Support accountability and improvement in all schools and districts
• Support and strengthen partnerships within OPI and with all Montana education stakeholders to improve teaching and learning for all
• Support accountability and improvement in Montana teacher education programs
  

Home Page: www.opi.mt.gov/Accred/

The Division of Educational Opportunity and Equity (EOE) consists of a variety of federal grant programs and one function funded by the state general fund. The focus of all the programs is opportunity and equity for all students.

Federally funded programs in EOE Division include:

• ESEA Title I, Parts A, B, C, D, F and G
  • Reading First (Part B, Subpart 1)
  • Even Start (Part B Subpart 3)
  • Migrant (Part C)
  • Neglected/Delinquent (Part D)
  • Comprehensive School Reform (Part F)
  • Advanced Placement (Part G): Testing & Reimbursement, Incentive Program
• ESEA Title II Part A, Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund
• ESEA Title V, Part A, Innovative Programs
• Homeless Education Program
• Student Loan Cancellations

• Gifted and Talented State Grants

• Teacher Exchange

Home Page: www.opi.mt.gov/Health/

The Division of Special Education has responsibility for assuring that children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Division staff provide training, technical assistance and monitor special education services provided by public schools and state-operated programs. The Division is also responsible for managing the flow of state and federal dollars for special education programs. We support schools in their efforts to adopt exemplary teaching practices that lead to improved teaching and learning experiences for children with disabilities.

Home Page: www.opi.mt.gov/SpecEd/