Education (Curriculum)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 6, 2025

LC 291: Provide for human trafficking prevention education in public schools

This bill requires Montana public schools to include education on preventing child sex trafficking and human trafficking as part of their curriculum goals. It directs the Office of Public Instruction to develop resources, coordinate with community partners, and support school districts in creating awareness programs and prevention materials for students, teachers, and families. The law also adds a specific legislative goal to the state's education standards, ensuring schools work with parents to teach students how to recognize and avoid involvement in trafficking situations. These changes take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates human trafficking prevention education in public schools, expanding curriculum and enhancing student safety programs90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 26, 2025

LC 2809: Directing DPHHS and OPI to develop a plan to expand mental health education to all schools in the state

This bill directs Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services and the Office of Public Instruction to create a plan for expanding mental health education to all public schools in the state. The plan must include curriculum details, financial and technical support mechanisms, data collection methods, and focus on specific areas like bullying, suicide prevention, and substance use. The agencies are required to submit interim progress reports by September 2025 and January 2026, with a final plan due by May 2026. The legislation also requires the secretary of state to notify federally recognized tribal governments about the act.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands mental health education across all public schools, enhancing student programs and educational access through required curriculum development and support mechanisms.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates expansion of mental health education in schools, directly supporting mental health services and preventive care initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Safety Student Health Mental Health Public Health

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 30, 2025

LC 1346: Revise lottery proceeds laws to dedicate to education funding

This bill directs Montana lottery revenue to be distributed quarterly to school districts based on the number of quality educators each district employs, ensuring funds go directly to schools rather than being held in a general state account. It expands how school flexibility funds can be used, allowing districts to spend money on teacher recruitment and retention incentives, facility improvements, technology upgrades, and curriculum development. The legislation also updates the state lottery commission's duties to prioritize maximizing net revenue for school distribution while maintaining oversight of lottery operations and reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs lottery revenue to education funding, increasing school resources and expanding flexibility for teacher recruitment, facilities, and curriculum development.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directs lottery revenue to school districts, expands flexibility funds for teachers and facilities, and supports educator recruitment and retention.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds technology upgrades for schools, indicating support for educational technology infrastructure and digital resources.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 11, 2025

LC 3017: Encourage academic excellence through high-quality instructional materials

This bill requires Montana's Superintendent of Public Instruction to identify up to five sets of high-quality instructional materials that align with state content standards and estimate the costs for districts to adopt them. It defines high-quality materials as resources that support proficiency-based learning, include built-in professional development, and are vetted by an independent nonprofit partner. If approved by the legislature, the state would provide reduced-cost access to these materials and related teacher training for school districts that choose to adopt them. The law also mandates that economic impact statements for new academic standards include analysis of whether districts can afford and implement the required materials within existing resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes high-quality instructional materials, professional development, and proficiency-based learning to enhance educational quality and student outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Funding Testing & Assessment

Track

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HJ 63: Request interim study on early literacy

House Joint Resolution 63 (HJ 63) requested an interim study to explore ways to improve early literacy and numeracy for schoolchildren in Montana. The study aimed to involve collaboration with various educational groups, parents, and national experts to develop a better understanding of evidence-based curriculum and instruction for children aged 4 through 3rd grade. It also sought to examine the impact of early literacy and numeracy initiatives, including parental involvement, and improve assessment and data systems. The final results of this study were intended to be reported to the 70th Legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requests study to improve early literacy/numeracy for K-3, aiming to develop evidence-based curriculum and enhance educational outcomes through collaboration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

Track

vetoed · Montana · House Jul 15, 2025

HB 861: Provide statewide access to a K-12 digital toolkit

HB 861 allocates $1.1 million annually to Montana's Office of Public Instruction and $750,000 to the Department of Labor and Industry for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funds will provide statewide access to a K-12 digital toolkit containing state standards-aligned instructional materials across all subjects, including career and technical education resources aligned with Montana industry needs. This bill directly affects Montana public schools and students by expanding access to digital learning tools. It establishes a permanent funding base for these resources, effective July 1, 2025, though it was vetoed and not enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.85M annually for K-12 digital toolkit, directly funding public education services under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1.85M for statewide K-12 digital toolkit funding standards-aligned materials, expanding educational access and resources for Montana schools.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds K-12 digital toolkit with state-aligned instructional materials, directly advancing educational technology access and resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 24, 2025

LC 2253: Provide statewide access to a K-12 digital toolkit

This bill appropriates $1.1 million to Montana's Office of Public Instruction and $750,000 to the Department of Labor and Industry for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It funds a statewide K-12 digital toolkit containing state standards-aligned instructional materials across all subjects, including career and technical education resources linked to Montana industry partners. The toolkit aims to provide consistent digital learning tools to all public K-12 schools statewide, with funding intended as an ongoing base for future legislative sessions. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.85M for K-12 digital toolkit via state appropriations, directly funding public education programs through budgetary allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds $1.85M for statewide K-12 digital toolkit with standards-aligned instructional materials, expanding consistent digital learning access across all public schools per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds statewide K-12 digital toolkit ($1.85M) for consistent digital learning tools across all schools, directly promoting technology access and digital equity in education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 28, 2025

LC 3379: Resolution in support of instruction in reading and writing in cursive

This non-binding resolution encourages Montana school districts to provide cursive writing instruction to students, starting at a developmentally appropriate age and continuing through their education. It does not mandate or fund cursive instruction but urges schools to include it so students can read historical documents (like the Declaration of Independence), sign documents, and benefit from cognitive development linked to learning cursive. The resolution directs Montana's Secretary of State to send copies to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Board of Public Education, and all public school boards. It directly affects Montana's public school districts and their curriculum decisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill encourages cursive instruction in curriculum for historical/document reading and cognitive benefits, supporting educational content development without mandates or funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 24, 2025

LC 1236: Revise laws to add history and civics classes in high school as a requirement for graduation

This bill (LC 1236) proposed requiring all high schools to add history and civics courses as a graduation requirement. It would have directly affected high school students by mandating these subjects for graduation, replacing or supplementing current course requirements. The bill was drafted in 2024 but was ultimately "died in process" in May 2025, meaning it did not advance to a vote or become law. It remains a proposed measure with no current legislative status.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates history/civics as graduation requirement, strengthening curriculum standards and educational content for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1379: Expand career technical education to include middle school students

This bill (LC 1379) proposed expanding career technical education (CTE) programs to include middle school students, aiming to provide early exposure to career-focused learning. It would have directly affected middle school students by adding CTE pathways to their curriculum, potentially connecting them to future career opportunities. However, the bill was drafted, placed on hold, and ultimately died in the legislative process during the 2025 session without becoming law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly expands CTE curriculum to middle schools, enhancing student career exposure and educational access per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum

Track