Education

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 25, 2025

LC 4327: Joint resolution honoring educational support professionals

This joint resolution honors Montana's 9,106 educational support professionals - such as paraprofessionals, secretaries, IT staff, and special-needs assistants - who work in public schools. It designates April 3, 2025, as "Educational Support Professionals Day" to recognize their daily contributions to student safety, learning, and school operations. The resolution celebrates their role in supporting all students, including those with disabilities, and acknowledges their vital impact on Montana's educational environment. It is a ceremonial recognition with no new policy or funding changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationHonors educational support professionals (paraprofessionals, IT staff, etc.) and designates a day to celebrate their contributions to student safety and learning, directly supporting educators as per indicators.85% confidence

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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 It does not mandate or fund cursive instruction but urges schools to include it so students can read historical documents (like the Declaration of Independence), sign documents, and benefit from cognitive development linked to learning cursive.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

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 28, 2025

LC 2944: Generally revise education tax credit laws

This bill creates a $250 annual tax credit for Montana parents or legal guardians of children attending nonpublic schools. It directly affects families with children aged 5-19 enrolled in qualifying nonpublic schools (as defined in Montana law). The credit, which cannot exceed a taxpayer's income tax liability, may be carried forward up to three years if not fully used in the current tax year. The bill also adds this new credit to Montana's scheduled tax credit review process, requiring its evaluation every eight years starting in 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $250 annual tax credit for nonpublic school parents, reducing taxable income and providing direct tax relief - advancing tax policy.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates $250 annual tax credit for nonpublic school families, expanding educational access options for K-12 students through direct financial support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits School Choice

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 29, 2025

LC 1689: Create the early childhood education and child care infrastructure grant program

This bill creates a $10 million grant program to help Montana child care facilities and school districts build or expand early childhood education centers. It provides one-time funding for construction, renovation, equipment, and facility upgrades, requiring grantees to match grant funds with private contributions (at least $1 for every $1 received). The program prioritizes rural areas and locations with high unmet child care demand, as highlighted in the bill’s context. Grants are limited to capital expenses and must align with safety standards, with administrative costs capped at 20% of the total appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates $10M state appropriation for early childhood education infrastructure grants, directly increasing public funding for essential services as per Appropriations subject.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $10M grants for early childhood education infrastructure, prioritizing rural areas and high-demand locations, directly advancing educational access and facility funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Apr 16, 2025

LC 4488: Request interim study on early literacy

This joint resolution requests an interim study to examine ways to improve early literacy and numeracy skills in Montana children. It directs the Legislative Council to form a committee that will collaborate with schools, educators, parents, early childhood providers, and national experts to assess evidence-based teaching methods, program effectiveness, and data systems. The study must conclude by September 15, 2026, and report findings to the 70th Legislature, including recommendations for potential policy changes. This resolution does not enact new laws but directs a review of existing approaches to support young learners.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequests study to improve early literacy, aligning with education enhancement goals through evidence-based methods and stakeholder collaboration.85% confidence

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died · Montana · Legislature May 22, 2025

LC 4031: Revise reimbursement and procedures for paid time off relating to continuing education credits for teachers

Bill LC 4031 proposed revisions to the existing system for teachers to utilize paid time off for continuing education credits. It aimed to update both the procedures for taking such leave and the reimbursement mechanisms associated with it. The bill sought to modify how educators access and are compensated for time spent on professional development and obtaining further certifications.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill revises paid time off for teacher continuing education, enhancing professional development support and compensation for educators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill revises paid time off procedures for teachers' continuing education, enhancing professional development benefits and improving access to employment-related compensation for educators.90% confidence

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 2054: Require prenatal development to be included in curriculum

This bill (LC 2054) requires Montana public school districts to include specific prenatal development content in health curricula. It mandates that human growth and development instruction feature a 3-minute high-definition ultrasound video showing early fetal organ development and a computer-generated animation of fertilization through all stages of fetal development. These requirements apply to all public school health classes in Montana, affecting school districts, teachers, and students. The bill also includes provisions for parental notification and withdrawal rights regarding this content. It amends Montana law to integrate these requirements into the state’s health content standards, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates specific prenatal content in health curriculum, restricting school curriculum choices and academic freedom.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 1521: Establish Alyssa's law to require mobile panic alert systems in schools

Montana's LC 1521, "Alyssa's Law," requires all public school districts to implement mobile panic alert systems by July 1, 2027. These systems must connect to emergency call centers, provide real-time location and floor plans to responders during emergencies, and integrate with school personnel for updates. School staff must receive annual training on the system, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction will approve a list of compliant systems meeting specific technical standards. The bill also amends existing law to allow school districts to use safety funds for these systems, including costs for installation and training.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mobile panic alert systems for school safety, protecting students/staff and enhancing educational environment security per bill's requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 902: Revise laws to expand education savings accounts to all students

This bill (LC 902) proposed expanding education savings accounts to cover all students in the state, rather than limiting them to specific groups like low-income or special needs students. It would have allowed families to use public funds through these accounts for private school tuition, tutoring, or educational materials. The key mechanism involved revising existing laws to remove eligibility restrictions and broaden access statewide. However, the bill died in the legislative process in May 2025 and never became law, so no policy changes were implemented.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill redirects state funds to private education via expanded savings accounts, directly impacting budget allocation and spending patterns.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands education savings accounts to all students, removing eligibility restrictions and broadening public funding access for private education options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding Student Financial Aid

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died · Montana · Legislature May 22, 2025

LC 697: Provide for disability education in schools

Based on the provided information, LC 697, titled "Provide for disability education in schools," aimed to introduce or enhance education related to disabilities within the school system. However, the available context does not provide sufficient details about the specific mechanisms, provisions, or who it directly affects beyond a general intent to impact schools. The draft ultimately died in the legislative process.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly aims to enhance disability education in schools, aligning with support indicators like improving student programs and educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Tags People with Disabilities

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