In Montana
Partnering with the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) to:
Establish a Through-Year Assessment System
OPI plans to develop and scale an innovative system that aligns assessments with local learning models and cultural contexts, deepens student learning, and more consistently measures growth throughout the school year. Region 17 CC will review best practices for establishing the system, engage partners to ensure test items reflect local contexts, and build capacity for data literacy and data-driven instruction.
Improve the Standards Review Process
Region 17 CC is collaborating with OPI to develop a process to review and revise state academic standards. The process includes forming and facilitating workgroups that comprise teachers, administrators, families, and other community members and that are charged with tasks such as reducing redundancies, simplifying language, and prioritizing concepts.
Initiate Math Innovation Zones
OPI’s Math Innovation Zones program is designed to prepare schools to transition to personalized learning models in math. During the 2023/24 school year, a cohort of schools and districts have been participating in collaborative professional development as they co-design their school community’s personalized learning environment. The cohort will implement their plans in the 2024/25 school year. Region 17 CC will support OPI in developing processes and guides to facilitate implementation fidelity as well as promising practices that can support students.
Plan for More Rigorous Intervention
Some Montana schools identified for comprehensive support and improvement (CSI) have not improved sufficiently to exit this status. The state’s ESSA plan requires more rigorous intervention for these schools, and OPI is amending its plan to define this intervention. This amendment will result in a select number of schools receiving more rigorous intervention support beginning in spring 2024. Region 17 CC will support the OPI in developing and implementing plans and processes for this more rigorous intervention for identified CSI schools.
Strengthen the Educator Workforce
Across Montana, students are experiencing a shortage of highly qualified, effective teachers. To address this, OPI has partnered with Region 17 CC to develop the Montana Teacher Residency Demonstration Project—a program that redesigns the way educators are prepared to join the workforce. Read how this teaching residency aims to provide top-quality preparation and support for Montana’s future teachers.
Idaho project descriptions are coming soon
Regional and National Projects
Connecting Rural Educators
The Northwest Rural Innovation and Student Engagement (NW RISE) Network brings together teachers and leaders from some of the region’s most isolated and remote communities. Through regular convenings, members share their expertise with peers in similar contexts to develop useful solutions. A network of schools helping schools—especially isolated ones—can raise achievement and increase student engagement by sharing relevant, practical advice that works for rural communities.
Participating in National Workgroups
Region 17 CC partners with the National Comprehensive Center and other regional CCs to support states in addressing immediate policy and practice issues. Specifically, we provide guidance and expertise in workgroups focused on bolstering states’ capacity to:
- Improve education for Native students
- Accelerate student learning using American Rescue Plan funds
- Strengthen and diversify the educator workforce