Montana: College and Career Policies

The Accreditation and Educator Preparation Division provides leadership, oversight, and support of elementary, secondary and postsecondary education in Montana. The Montana Educator Performance Appraisal System (Montana-EPAS) is the state model for the evaluation of teachers and school leaders. This standards-based evaluation system is designed to encourage professional learning through a continuum of career development. The Montana-EPAS provides useable tools for school districts to pilot the state model or use a common framework to begin aligning local systems of evaluation to the state standards. Improving professional practice of educators will help to assure student success.

The primary purpose of the model Montana Educator Performance Appraisal System (MONTANA-EPAS) for evaluation of teachers is to foster continuous professional growth, enabling success for all students. The model state evaluation system is based on three core concepts: professional growth, continuous improvement and quality assurance.

The Montana State Board of Public Education oversees the Montana teacher certification process and dictates the requirements needed in order to become certified within the state.

In order to become a certified teacher in Montana, an applicant must have at least a bachelor's degree, completed a Montana teacher certification program, and completed a supervised teaching experience..

The Montana Board of Public Education oversees teacher preparation program accreditation.

Section 10.58.501 outlines twelve teaching standards that all successful candidates must demonstrate.

Montana updated the English language proficiency standards in 2011.

Montana updated the English language arts standards in 2011. These standards are aligned to the common core state standards.

Montana requires 4 credits of English to graduate.

Smarter Balanced, ELA and Math, 3-8 and 11, Alternate CRT, Grades 3-8, 10, Reading and math. Grades 4,8, 10 Science.

Health Enhancement combines the disciplines of “health” and “physical education” into a single curriculum with its focus on health-related outcomes. Concepts learned in the classroom are reinforced in the gymnasium and vice versa. Health is essential to a quality of life and leads directly to improved learning. Health enhancement develops the skills and behaviors necessary for students to become healthy, productive citizens who take personal responsibility for their own well-being as well as a social responsibility for the health of their community.

Early initiation of healthy behaviors is a predictor of enhanced school performance as well as less risk for morbidity and premature mortality in adulthood. Health enhancement is a critical component of the educational process.

Montana updated the math standards in 2011. These standards are aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

Montana requires 2 credits of math for graduation.

The assessments that are required are: Smarter Balanced, ELA and Math, 3-8 and 11, Alternate CRT, Grades 3-8, 10, Reading and math. Grades 4,8, 10 Science.