Montana
Supporting Student Outcomes with the Montana Office of Public Instruction
In Montana, the Northwest Comprehensive Center (NWCC) partners with the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) to provide district leaders with guidance and resources that support school improvement and career-connected learning. OPI’s priorities include:
- Providing all students with purposeful pathways focused on learning interests, skills, mindsets, and agency
- Expanding school improvement as a meaningful accountability process through a systematic and community-centered approach
- Designing new district data collection and reporting mechanisms aligned to program support for college and career readiness
Together, NWCC and OPI are addressing Montana’s state priorities through the following projects:
Career-Connected Learning: Data Tracking and Funding
Beginning in 2028, Montana will provide incentive funding to school districts that successfully prepare students for purposeful career pathways. NWCC is working with OPI and the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education to translate legislative requirements into clear guidance and resources for districts to create meaningful pathways and opportunities for K–12 learners. NWCC is facilitating collaboration and guiding the development of data collection instruments, resulting in guidance, policies, and resources to help districts collect and report student attainment data so they can access funding.
Project lead: Steve Klein
School Improvement Process
Montana schools are required to enter an intensive assistance process if they do not meet state accreditation standards for more than two years or have not implemented corrective plans. NWCC is supporting OPI to design and implement this process as a highly structured, mandatory intervention that supports and guides schools requiring significant, systemic, and sustained improvement. This process will establish the foundational conditions for long-term excellence and self-sufficiency.
Project lead: Catherine Barbour