Education (Testing & Assessment)

This bill requires Montana school districts to offer a released time program that allows students to leave regular classes for religious instruction, with each student receiving at least one hour per week. The program must be requested in writing by a parent or guardian and cannot use public school property or public funds for religious teaching. School districts must also create a policy to award academic credit for these courses based on neutral, secular criteria such as class hours, syllabus content, assessment methods, and instructor qualifications, without evaluating religious content or denominational affiliation. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025, and apply to all public school districts in the state.

This bill updates Montana's adoption of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which helps students of military families maintain educational continuity when their parents move or deploy. The legislation clarifies how the state commission can calculate annual assessment fees based on the number of military children in Montana and corrects outdated references to federal law. Key provisions require schools to facilitate timely enrollment, transfer education records efficiently, and ensure equal access to programs and extracurricular activities for military children across member states. The bill amends existing state code to formalize these interstate agreements and takes effect immediately upon passage.

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.

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.