Education
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Montana schools are struggling to pass funding levies
Data compiled by the Montana School Boards Association indicates fewer districts are running local-option levies — and fewer are getting a thumbs-up from voters.
Latest education Reporting
Fireworks-and-gasoline ‘device’ causes Helena High School students to cancel anti-ICE protest
The device consisted of a jug of gasoline and fireworks, according to a statement from Helena Public Schools. The explosive materials were discovered on private property near Dakota and Davis street, according to a police press release.
University of Montana proposes cutting master’s programs in literature and economics
The proposals will be reviewed by the university’s Faculty Senate before going to the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education for final approval.
Struck down by court, education savings accounts could persist for current school year while litigation continues
Education groups and disability rights advocates are sparring with the Montana Office of Public Instruction over whether publicly funded savings accounts for private education and services for disabled students can remain in effect for the duration of the school year.
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MORE EDUCATION REPORTING
Montana judge blocks education savings accounts for students with special needs
A Montana district court judge has blocked House Bill 393, the Students with Special Needs Equal Opportunity Act, halting the state’s first education savings account program. The decision found the Legislature failed to make a lawful appropriation for the program, which would have allowed parents of students with disabilities to redirect per-pupil funding to private…
Undercover recordings distorted teacher training, union official said
A conservative activist’s audio recordings of a fall educator conference in Missoula have reignited a debate about how teachers in Montana access professional development training. MTFP talked to the activist, conference attendees, and the state Office of Public Instruction, and reviewed several audio recordings to compile this account of what transpired and the potential implications.
Aimed at improving student reading skills, free preschool in Billings shows promise
Pre-K classroom programs across Montana showed promise in their first year. Out of the 2,025 students across the state who participated, 57% learned enough in the program to no longer be eligible for it.
A school funding lawsuit brews as commission evaluates K-12 funding formula
A potential legal challenge to the state’s current education funding system, organized by Helena-based Upper Seven Law, is still being drafted but will likely be filed by the end of 2025, Upper Seven Executive Director Rylee Sommers-Flanagan told Montana Free Press. It comes as a commission is studying school funding in advance of the 2027…
Montana professor still sidelined for Kirk comments
Montana State University-Northern placed a professor on leave in response to social media comments she made about the assassination of the conservative figure Charlie Kirk. The school said it will evaluate the situation, but it’s unclear what that evaluation will include.
Email reveals division among education advocates over pitching a school funding sales tax
An education coalition that planned to pitch the concept of a sales tax to a committee studying the state’s school funding system reversed course before bringing the concept to a formal meeting.
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MORE EDUCATION REPORTING
Settlement mandates Montana provide education to students with disabilities up to age 22
A federal district court approved a settlement dictating that Montana students with individualized education programs are eligible for public education up to the age of 22.
Montana changes course, opts in to NCAA’s House settlement for this year
The University of Montana is changing course and will opt-in this year to the NCAA’s House settlement. The recent settlement means athletic programs across the country are free to start paying millions to their athletes in the biggest change in the history of college athletics. Montana was originally planning to opt-in during the 2026-27 academic…
Why some districts opted out of Montana’s high-profile STARS Act
According to the Office of Public Instruction, roughly 94% of Montana’s local public school agencies have agreed to participate in the STARS Act and work toward meeting starting teacher salary benchmarks. But several have opted out over concerns about the long-term sustainability of state funding for the effort.
Tuition increases coming for residents and non-residents at Montana campuses
The Montana Board of Regents recently approved a series of tuition increases for resident and non-resident students across the state’s university system. Over the next two years, tuition at the flagship University of Montana and Montana State University campuses will rise by $432 annually — or $18 per credit — for full-time students.
More schools are adopting a 4-day school week. One Montana town tried to fight it.
After years of putting it off, the Florence-Carlton school district in Ravalli County had to decide: Would it join the many smaller districts in the state with a four-day school week, or stick with a five-day schedule?
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