Montana Administrative Code

10.55.703 LICENSURE AND DUTIES OF SCHOOL PRINCIPAL The school principal shall: be appropriately licensed and endorsed in accordance with state statutes and Board of Public Education rules; or be considered appropriately assigned if the principal is enrolled in an internship as de…

10.55.704 ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL: ASSIGNMENT OF DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS The assignment of licensed superintendents for all configurations of school systems shall be based upon full-time equivalency (FTE) and shall be assigned as follows: School systems with 14 or fewer FTE lic…

10.55.705 ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL: ASSIGNMENT OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS/PRINCIPALS School systems with nine or fewer FTE licensed staff and without a licensed superintendent may use a supervising teacher and the services of the office of the county superintendent to satisfy princ…

10.55.706 TEACHER INVOLVEMENT Teachers shall use their professional judgment and measures of student growth and proficiencytoprovide engaging andhighly effective pupilinstruction to all students based on individual need. Teachers shall be involved in curriculum development and st…

10.55.707 TEACHER AND SPECIALIST LICENSURE Teachers and specialists shall be: appropriately licensed and endorsed in accordance with state statutes and Board of Public Education rules; or considered appropriately assigned if enrolled in an internship as defined in ARM 10.55.602 a…

10.55.708 TEACHING ASSIGNMENTS Teachers shall be assigned at the levels and in the subjects for which they are licensed and endorsed, unless they are enrolled in an internship as defined in ARM 10.55.602 and meet the requirements of ARM 10.57.114. Teachers assigned in grade 5 or …

10.55.709 LIBRARY MEDIA SERVICES, K-12 The school library shall be housed in a central location, and each school shall have a licensed and endorsed library media specialist at the following ratio: .5 FTE for schools with 126-250 students; 1 FTE for schools with 251-500 students; …

10.55.710 ASSIGNMENT OF SCHOOL COUNSELING STAFF A minimum equivalent of one full-time counselor for each 400 elementary (K-8) students shall be provided. The counselor/student ratio shall be prorated. A minimum equivalent of one full-time counselor for each 400 high school studen…

10.55.711 GENERAL: CLASS SIZE AND TEACHER LOAD (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 20-2-114, MCA Implementing statute(s): 20-2-121, MCA History: NEW, 1989 MAR p. 342, Eff. 7/1/89; AMD, 1995 MAR p. 625, Eff. 4/28/95; AMD, 2012 MAR p. 2042, Eff. 7/1/13; REP, 2023 MAR p. 255, Eff. 7/…

10.55.712 CLASS SIZE: ELEMENTARY In single grade rooms, the maximum class size shall be: no more than 20 students in kindergarten and grades 1 and 2; no more than 28 students in grades 3 and 4; no more than 30 students in grades 5 through 8. In multigrade classrooms, the maximum …

10.55.713 TEACHER LOAD AND CLASS SIZE: HIGH SCHOOL, JUNIOR HIGH, MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND GRADES 7 AND 8 FUNDED AT HIGH SCHOOL RATES Each program offered shall be staffed by appropriately licensed and endorsed FTE educators. Individual class size shall not exceed 30 students. Class siz…

10.55.714 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Professional development: shall be aligned with the district graduate profile and educational goals outlined in the district integrated strategic action plan described in ARM 10.55.601; shall be provided to address safety, well-being, and mental…

10.55.715 INSTRUCTIONAL PARAPROFESSIONALS: QUALIFICATIONS AND SUPERVISION Instructional paraprofessionals shall be under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher who is responsible for instruction and assessment of students. The supervising teacher shall be available while th…

10.55.716 SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS Substitute teachers may be used for extended teacher absences under the following conditions: In cases where a regular, licensed teacher under contract is temporarily unable, by reason of illness or for other reasons approved by the local board of tr…

10.55.717 ASSIGNMENT OF PERSONS PROVIDING INSTRUCTION TO BRAILLE STUDENTS No licensed or classified employee of a school district, cooperative, or any contracted service provider shall be assigned to provide instruction of Braille to a student or produce Braille materials who has…

10.55.718 ASSIGNMENT OF PERSONS PROVIDING SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING Effective July 1, 2011, and not withstanding (3), no licensed or classified employee of any school district, cooperative, or contracted service provider shall be regu…

10.55.719 STUDENT PROTECTION PROCEDURES A local board of trustees shall adopt a policy designed to deter persistent threatening, insulting, or demeaning gestures or physical conduct, including an intentional written, verbal, or electronic communication or threat directed against …

10.55.720 SUICIDE PREVENTION AND RESPONSE A local board of trustees shall establish policies, procedures, or plans related to suicide prevention and response that may include the following recommended elements: Promotes collaboration with families and with community providers in …

10.55.721 HAZARD AND EMERGENCY PLANS A local board of trustees shall adopt a policy addressing a school safety plan or emergency operations plan. The plan required by this rule shall be periodically reviewed with stakeholder inputand updated as determined necessary by the trustee…

10.55.722 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The local board of trustees shall implement a comprehensive family and community engagement plan that: is aligned to the district integrated strategic action plan required in ARM 10.55.601; includes effective engagement practices that are…

10.55.723 MENTORSHIP AND INDUCTION The local board of trustees shall implement a mentorship and induction program as outlined in the integrated strategic action plan described in ARM 10.55.601 that: is research-based to ensure inclusion of high-impact professional learning strate…

10.55.724 EVALUATION The local board of trustees shall ensure the completion of periodic written evaluations of all regularly employed instructional personnel who are under written contract.Employees evaluated shall have access to a copy of the evaluation instrument, the opportun…

10.55.801 SCHOOL CLIMATE The local board of trustees shall: develop policies, procedures, and rules that respect the rights of all learners, promote an awareness of and concern for the well-being of others, and address bullying, intimidation, and harassment of students and school…

10.55.802 OPPORTUNITY AND EDUCATIONAL EQUITY It is the purpose of the accreditation standards to guarantee equality of educational opportunity and to respect the dignity of every personin accordance with Article II, Section IV of the Montana Constitution and federal law, without …

10.55.803 LEARNER ACCESS Equal opportunity to learn is a primary consideration of all program areas, at all levels.In order to integrate this concept throughout the education program, the local board of trustees shall develop and implement processes that ensure each learner has a…

10.55.804 GIFTED AND TALENTED Districts shall provide educational services to gifted and talented students that are commensurate to their needs, foster a positive self-image, and create a supportive learning environment. Each district shall comply with all federal and state laws …

10.55.805 SPECIAL EDUCATION Each district shall provide educational programs and services to students eligible to receive special education services as identified under IDEA. Each district shall comply with all federal and state laws and regulations addressing special education. …

10.55.806 ENGLISH LEARNERS Districts shall provide educational services to help English learners become proficient in English and meet state standards by creating high level language instruction programs, professional development, and family outreach. Each district shall comply w…

10.55.901 BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM: ELEMENTARY An elementary school shall have an education program aligned to the program area standards that enables students to meet the content standards and content-specific grade-level or grade-band learning progressions and recognizes the dis…

10.55.902 BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM: JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, 7TH AND 8TH GRADE PROGRAM, OR MIDDLE SCHOOL A school district's junior high school, 7th and 8th grade program, or middle school that complies with the requirements of this rule shall be accredited by the Board of Public Educa…

10.55.903 BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM: JUNIOR HIGH AND GRADES 7 AND 8 BUDGETED AT HIGH SCHOOL RATES (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): Sec. 20-2-114, MCA Implementing statute(s): Sec. 20-2-121, 20-3-106, 20-7-101, MCA History: NEW, 1989 MAR p. 342, Eff. 7/1/89; AMD, 1998 MAR p. 2707,…

10.55.904 BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM OFFERINGS: HIGH SCHOOL The basic education program, aligned to the program area standards, for grades 9 through 12 shall be at least 20 units of coursework that enable all students to meet the content standards and content-specific grade-level or…

10.55.905 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS As a minimum, a school district's requirements for graduation shall include a total of 20 units of study that enable all students to meet the content standards and content-specific grade-level or grade-band learning progressions.Students may demo…

10.55.906 HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT A high school shall require a minimum of 20 units of credit for graduation, including ninth grade units. A unit of credit is defined as the equivalent of at least 8100 minutes for one year, equivalent proficiency without regard to time,or demonstratio…

10.55.907 DISTANCE, ONLINE, AND TECHNOLOGY-DELIVERED LEARNING This rule establishes requirements for distance, online, and technology-delivered learning programs and/or courses that fulfill elementary or middle grades basic education programs and/or high school graduation require…

10.55.908 SCHOOL FACILITIES School facilities shall be constructed, maintained, and supervised in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal codes, regulations, and laws. School facilities shall be of sufficient size and arrangement to meet all programs' educational…

10.55.909 STUDENT RECORDS Each school shall keep, in secure storage, a permanent file of students' records, that shall include: the name and address of the student; his/her parent or guardian; birth date; academic work completed; level of achievement (grades, standardized achieve…

10.55.910 STUDENT DISCIPLINE RECORDS Each school shall maintain a record of any disciplinary action that is educationally related, with explanation, taken against the student. When a local board of trustees takes disciplinary action against a student, the board must take minutes …

10.55.911 OFFICIAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT The high school transcript is the official academic record of the courses and credits completed by a high school student. At a minimum, the high school transcript must include: statewide student identifier; student legal name, address, ge…

10.56.101 STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT The Board of Public Education adopts rules for statewide assessments in the public schools and those private schools seeking accreditation. The Board of Public Education recognizes that the primary purpose of assessment is to serve learning. An asse…

10.56.102 PARTICIPATION By the authority of 20-2-121(11), MCA, and ARM 10.55.603, the Board of Public of Education adopts rules for statewide assessment in all public and accredited nonpublic schools. Statewide assessments approved by the Board of Public Education shall be admini…

10.56.103 TEST SECURITY The Office of Public Instruction has the responsibility to audit test administration activities to monitor adherence to test security and best practices without undue disruption to schools. All statewide assessments must be administered to students only by…

10.56.104 ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMMODATIONS Schools shall administer statewide assessments with or without accommodations based on individual student needs consistent with all state and federal laws and regulations. The Individualized Education Program (IEP) team for a student sha…

10.56.105 REPORTING The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall provide an annual report of the statewide assessment results to the Legislature and the Board of Public Education. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall make available student assessment results in compli…

10.57.101 REVIEW OF POLICY By authority of Article X of the Montana Constitution and 20-4-102, MCA, the Board of Public Education exercises general supervision over the public school system and such other public educational institutions as may be assigned by law. By authority of …

10.57.102 DEFINITIONS The following definitions apply to this chapter. "Acceptable evidence" means relevant official transcripts, university recommendation, certificates of completion, and other documentation as required by the Board of Public Education or the Superintendent of P…

10.57.103 GRADES (IS HEREBY REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): Sec. 20-4-102, MCA Implementing statute(s): Sec. 20-4-102, MCA History: Eff. 4/21/75; ARM Pub. 11/25/77; AMD, 1995 MAR p. 628, Eff. 4/28/95; REP, 2002 MAR p. 3309, Eff. 11/28/02.

10.57.104 STUDENT TEACHING/SUPERVISED PRACTICE (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 20-4-102, MCA Implementing statute(s): 20-4-102, MCA History: Eff. 4/21/75; ARM Pub. 11/25/77; AMD, 2002 MAR p. 3309, Eff. 11/28/02; AMD, 2005 MAR p. 916, Eff. 6/17/05; REP, 2009 MAR p. 345, Eff. 3/…

10.57.105 CERTIFICATION OF NON-CITIZENS (IS HEREBY REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): Sec. 20-4-102, MCA Implementing statute(s): Sec. 20-4-203, MCA History: Eff. 4/21/75; ARM Pub. 11/15/77; AMD, 1980 MAR p. 2645, Eff. 9/26/80; REP, 1982 MAR p. 379, Eff. 2/26/82.

10.57.106 LIFE CERTIFICATES (IS HEREBY REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): Sec. 20-4-102, MCA Implementing statute(s): Sec. 20-4-203, MCA History: Eff. 4/21/75; ARM Pub. 11/25/77; AMD, 1984 MAR p. 1472, Eff. 9/1/85; REP, 2002 MAR p. 3309, Eff. 11/28/02.