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The Office of Public Instruction is making available limited funding for the costs of students with significant needs served by the public schools. The approval of the funding on each application is specific to the request and justification for that request. The memorandum file that is below provides an overview of the program, definition of eligible districts and eligible students, allowable costs, definition of Priority I and Priority IA and Priority II. Download Significant Needs Memo for February (PDF) Download Significant Needs Application Form (PDF) If you have questions concerning the included files, please contact Dale Kimmet, Division of Special Education, 406-444-0742, or e-mail at dkimmet2@mt.gov.

Click here to download the flyer for this event (PDF) What: TEAMS is a partnership between Montana State University - College of Engineering and College of Education, Health and Human Development. For more information about TEAMS go to: www.coe.montana.edu/TEAMS Where / When: We are offering a TEAMS workshop at Box Elder 7-8/high school June 16 – 17, 2011 You Should Attend the MSU TEAMS workshop: If you are interested in what engineering can teach us about math and science teaching. You would like to earn a $ stipend, and OPI renewal credit. To work with engineering and education faculty on how engineering applications might work in your math and/or science classrooms. To register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/teamsregistration If you have questions: Contact Sheree Watson at 406-994-6723 or swatson@coe.montana.edu

What: Montana State University Billings is hosting its second Summer Institute on June 6-9, 2011 on its main campus.  This is an excellent opportunity for professional development for educators, administrators, specialists, and other school staff.  The Institute will offer a wide variety of educational trainings at an affordable price.  To learn more about the Summer Institute you can visit the website at http://www.msubillings.edu/summerinstitute . There will be a variety of OPI training opportunities available at the Summer Institute.  The Institute will be offering Level I training in the following areas: Gifted and Talented; Media Literacy; Library Information Literacy Technology; and, Transforming School Counseling in Montana.   There will also be Level II training available for Gifted and Talented focusing on Identification and Curriculum. Stipends are available to assist those wanting to attend the Institute.  The stipends are available in the areas of Counseling and Gifted/Talented.  Stipends will be considered for those who register for the complete Institute on a first come, first served basis.  One stipend per individual registrant.  Both the registration and stipend forms must be completed for consideration.  Those receiving stipends will be notified by email. Important Information and Links: Summer Institute; http://www.msubillings.edu/summerinstitute Registration: http://www.msubillings.edu/summerinstitute/registration.htm Stipend Application: http://msubillings.edu/summerinstitute/stipend.htm For more information: Contact John Keener at 406-657-1743 or john.keener@msubillings.edu.

Click here for full conference information and registration What: Want an intriguing conference that will channel you and your students to an invigorating new level, change the current path of your classroom, and set the course for change in your school? Then don't miss the 2011 August Institute. There is something for everyone regardless of how you perceive your classroom technology integration skills and teaching. You’ll leave with new ideas, knowledge of at least one free online application and many techniques to set your students on an exciting path of innovation and self motivation. When: August 8-10, 2011 Where: Phyllis J. Washington Education Building - University of Montana Missoula, MT Conference Highlights: Keynote address and presentations by Kevin Honeycutt (Teaching Wired Learners) Half-day sessions (novice & intermediate) with Tony Vincent (Project-based Learning) Wes Fryer ( iPhoneography 101; Talk with Media: Simple Ideas for Powerful Sharing and SmartNetworks) Concert with Chance McKinney Technology workshops for both novice and Intermediate users Technology coaches to support participants during workshops for novice users Presentations by our regional technologists, Diane Woodard and Dean Phillips Monday Evening Poster sessions highlighting Best Practices in Technology by teachers participating in the SLATE grants Tuesday Evening – Tech in the Wild session – using technology outside the school walls Ability to earn 2 semester credits or 22 OPI renewal credits Plus...many of our other sessions on school culture, RTI, special education, Indian Education, gifted ed, reading and math interventions … and much, much more

What: The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Yellowstone Valley (SPC-YV) is supported by survivors, teachers, healthcare professionals, Native American leadership, clergy and community. With the generosity of a grant awarded through the Montana Mental Health Settlement Trust, we are hosting a Suicide Prevention Training on Friday, October 21, 2011 at the Mansfield Education Center in Billings, Montana. This is OPI approved and School District 2 has approved it for 7 hours toward MEA Trade Days. We plan to apply for Social Work, Councelor and Law CEUs as well. In addition, the training reaches out to the grassroots welcoming parents and other community members for their first time training on this issue. We are confident this will be an informative and crucial way to address the challenges of suicide in our greater community. When: Friday, October 21, 2011 Where: Mansfield Education Center Billings, Montana. Contact: Mike Yakawich spcoalitionyv@gmail.com 406-254-2445

What: Mark your calendars for the 2011 Montana Association for the Education of Young Children (MtAEYC) in Bozeman, Montana.  The theme for the conference this year is well-being and the title is "Montana: Creating a State of Well-Being."  Rooms have been blocked at several hotels in Bozeman. This year's keynote is Donna Donnelly of Life Guides, Inc. Visit www.mtaeyc.org for more information. When: October 14-15, 2011 Where: Strand Union Building on the campus of Montana State University Bozeman, Montana Save money by registering before October 1st.

Montana and the U.S. Department of Education have ended a No Child Left Behind showdown after federal officials agreed to let the state reset its proficiency targets so more schools would make "adequate yearly progress" this year.

What: MBI is currently taking applications for additional schools interested in becoming MBI sites for the 2011-2012 school year. Each site must identify a team that is representative of the staff at their site (including an administrator). Site MBI Teams may apply to attend four days of MBI Team Training during the school year. These trainings will be held in the five CSPD regions in order to make them accessible for all those interested. Click here to view and download the full application

Welcome to Montana's "No Child Left Behind Report Card".  The "Report Card" is required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as reauthorized by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The information is helpful in determining how Montana schools and districts are meeting the requirements of this federal legislation.  It should not be considered a comprehensive report on the quality of education provided by any Montana school or district.

What: Click here to learn more about speakers and conference schedule. When: April 16-17, 2011 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Where: Continuing Education Building on the campus of the University of Montana. Missoula, Mt. More information: Registration and Check in begins on Saturday at 8:00 am. OPI and CEU credits are available for attending the conference. Tickets must be purchased prior to the event

What: Kids spend an average of more than 7 hours a day with some form of media.  As a result, they sometimes grow up having more interaction with TV, the Internet, and other media messages than people.  Media Literacy refers to the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media messages of all kinds.  This interactive training will explore basic concepts of media literacy by examining TV commercials, messages and print ads, and tobacco and alcohol marketing.  We will work in small and large groups to discuss the language of persuasion, deconstruct ads, and create counter messages.  After this training, participants will have a greater understanding of media literacy and walk away with tools they can use with their learners. Objectives: Participants will define media literacy and understand some techniques of persuasion. Participants will understand how media literacy education helps prevent tobacco and alcohol initiation among youth. Participants will learn new media literacy activities and exercises they can do with their learners. The Media Literacy Professional Development Project will assist the state's school districts in meeting the Montana media literacy content standards by offering Media Literacy Professional Development (PD) to Montana teachers.  Please note that media literacy is included in both Curriculum Arts and Health Enhancement standards. OPI Renweal Units are available. There are no fees for this taining but registration is required. SCHEDULED WORKSHOPS: May 6, 2011 - (9:00 to Noon) May 11, 2011 - (9:00 to Noon) May 17, 2011 - (9:00AM to Noon) All workshops are scheduled at for MSUB, College of Education Building, Room 122. TO REGISTER: For further information go to http://www.msubillings.edu/smart/training/medialiteracy.htm To register go to http://www.msubillings.edu/mcdregister/MediaLiteracyRegistration.htm