[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6691679,"mediaKeyId","2221276-976c5c63721e1167298b236dea59303b","parentId",2221276,"title","House Education Committee hears expansion to early intervention law to add numeracy","audioSeconds",1419,"startMs",2884000,"endMs",4303000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221276-976c5c63721e1167298b236dea59303b&start=2884&end=4303","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221276-976c5c63721e1167298b236dea59303b/thumbnail_2884000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6691679/Montana/House-Education-Committee-hears-expansion-to-early-intervention-law-to-add-numeracy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6691679-3068be1b14ab10fa1f478eec739f99c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453128&Signature=Pzzz1knKzCAO-PTDOogdu0leOTCK9wMe1OYsipf56nfhO4qrcMeE5gemTibNTzlTs1UD1p1T0e2ORRNOsGECPctPbQGP4M7n8wG6M88b3YjAS84O2HPa9KM8~TTriqRFQntrnAUQfVSuA2dxnrkSJnkKIPnOTMKPmB8todtvDSsOj-AhXcWml90QjV65DRHiIcBteXEkFVSglpeWOn0af6QCkNmFrPW0mfXk4N16PeBID7jM-3oDBg-74Cb15bTFUe2igvRdBxJkNzWXXktBlOhQNw73ZZhe8qgUudYCmDb~hXecG0axNIplA70giBPHCQ8LrqI6VnptiYLKRFyatQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-02-03T00:00:00Z","article","Vice Chair Melissa Romano opened the hearing on House Bill 338 by saying the measure would expand Montana’s early-targeted literacy program to add early numeracy intervention, give schools flexibility in assessment timing and methods, and preserve voluntary participation. \"This bill to me represents a crucial step forward in strengthening educational outcomes for Montana's children by expanding early intervention programs for numeracy,\" Romano said.

Romano told committee members the bill inserts references to math and numeracy beginning on page 20 of the draft, expands assessment windows and allows schools to choose developmentally appropriate, cost‑effective, research‑based methods selected by the Board of Public Education. Participation in the program would remain voluntary, Romano said, so parents would be able to opt in or out.

Proponents included early-childhood and education organizations and practitioners who testified that early numeracy predicts later academic success and warrants investment. Caitlin Jensen of 0 to 5 Montana said brain development in the first five years makes early numeracy critical, and cited a poll her group conducted showing public support for early intervention funding. Kim Popham (MFPE), Larry Crowder (Montana Rural Education Association and CAMPS), Taylor Floming (school psychologist), Polly Becker (Montana Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics) and Susie Hedlund (Office of Public Instruction superintendent) all testified in support and emphasized implementation supports.

Taylor Floming described a case from his practice: a student who received early reading intervention progressed to grade level in reading but was not similarly identified for math intervention and later fell further behind in mathematics. “The intensive early intervention worked” in reading, Floming said, while the student’s math gap widened because early numeracy was not addressed.

Board of Public Education Executive Director McCall Flynn and OPI Superintendent Susie Hedlund appeared as informational witnesses. Flynn said the board would likely reconvene its early literacy advisory group and consider additional members to address numeracy. Hedlund said OPI supports including numeracy, described existing screeners and data-collection requirements, and noted that districts participating in existing literacy grants may already have pathways to adopt evidence‑based curricula and interventions. Committee members asked whether screeners and implementation practices exist for early numeracy; witnesses said validated options exist but are fewer than for literacy and that the state would need to identify appropriate tools.

No committee vote on HB 338 was recorded in the transcript; the sponsor closed the hearing and the committee recessed for caucus before beginning executive action on other bills.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Education 2025-02-03","oneSentenceSummary","Vice Chair Melissa Romano sponsored House Bill 338 to expand the state's early targeted literacy program to include early numeracy interventions; proponents said early math skills predict later outcomes and asked for voluntary participation and assessment flexibility.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6691684,"Montana committee hears bill to make K-3 reading instruction 'evidence based'",2731,115000,2846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221276-976c5c63721e1167298b236dea59303b&start=115&end=2846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221276-976c5c63721e1167298b236dea59303b/thumbnail_115000.jpg","/articles/6691684/Montana/Montana-committee-hears-bill-to-make-K-3-reading-instruction-evidence-based","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6691684-51ac9489de151119482cba2603b2f4bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453128&Signature=Ee1riyQXfz00TavGUR7LeBM7uEczlhMGazBtqh4rysNKqua36TTSBZu4n5h4f-3I442ephAJ-QdanzKfDT8F~fx-63GkKYhiEO~oSe4toasDpN7xlCiC4iqv8BA8lhv8QlDH6iH9ZC0GDcjhSUKpa~GGMzt-9etx56IWDs00vu~XyKWcu3eVFj1j69iPnXjwX-MlDA9XtruFcbssT-uDntzJTI7oXpqsAnLgXq5EzoLr3ZteCfPjEIntOSfQaJD04wJFHXf--PRFpDBPbt1oop9c82bnbZvqXJm2omJ8ExCGQ78VqUqAGlfN-hOevYqk311Jw9zdIM8PKRhJ6RbqOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Nicole Rexton, sponsor of House Bill 262, told the House Education Committee the bill is a policy statement that would require Montana schools’ early literacy instruction to be evidence based and include components supported by scientific research. “House Bill 262 is a policy statement,” Rexton said, and she told members the bill would underscore the importance of effective reading instruction in grades K–3. She cited National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results she said show a long-term decline in Montana reading scores from 1998 through 2024.

The bill text, as described by Rexton during the hearing, requires that early literacy instruction be direct, systematic, explicit and responsive, follow a scope-and-sequence toward mastery and include essential components such as phonemic awareness, phonics (including irregular and multisyllabic-word reading), vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. Rexton said the amended bill adds language directing the Board of Public Education to develop accreditation standards and asks districts to adopt policies and materials that meet or exceed minimum standards.

Proponents who testified said HB 262 would clarify instructional expectations and urged state support for teacher training and materials. Doug Reisig, executive director of the Montana Quality Education Coalition, speaking for the CAMPS coalition, told the committee the bill “delineates that early literacy reading instruction in Montana public schools will be evidence based, follow a scope and sequence, and be direct, systematic, explicit, and responsive.” Caitlin Jensen, executive director of 0 to 5 Montana, and Kim Popham, Director of Public Policy and Research for MFPE, also voiced support and emphasized the need for professional development and resources so districts can implement the approach.

Several witnesses recommended that the Montana University System and state professional-development programs align preparation and in-service training with the bill’s stated approach. Reisig and Jensen both asked the committee to consider statewide supports so districts that lack access to training or curriculum adoption resources can implement evidence-based reading programs.

McCall Flynn of the Board of Public Education appeared as an informational witness to answer questions about implementation and standards. Flynn said the board would be responsible for developing standards and that the amended bill’s language requiring accreditation or minimum standards was an important addition. Committee members asked whether many districts already use the science-of-reading approaches; witnesses said some districts and consortiums do, especially those participating in literacy grants, but statewide adoption varies and some rural districts face barriers in curriculum-adoption cycles and access to professional development.

Representative Rexton and proponents repeatedly said the bill is not intended to usurp local control but to give districts a clear, research-based framework. No formal committee vote on HB 262 was recorded in the transcript; the hearing was closed after sponsor remarks and testimony.","Representative Rexton sponsored House Bill 262 to declare state policy that early literacy instruction be evidence based and include science-of-reading components; proponents urged funding for teacher professional development and the Board of Public Education to set minimum standards.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6691676,"House Education Committee advances five bills to the House floor during executive action",2925,4321000,7246000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221276-976c5c63721e1167298b236dea59303b&start=4321&end=7246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221276-976c5c63721e1167298b236dea59303b/thumbnail_4321000.jpg","/articles/6691676/Montana/House-Education-Committee-advances-five-bills-to-the-House-floor-during-executive-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6691676-21b2a1e9e2aabc78c66a09ea3a214bc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453128&Signature=fHzqYL2ZeW-c-xiryFifrO2lDiAvUR9~N~kWwgSMLyGwkyYj-5PdYSsvw91CjpZD4FN9FegWr6mSfoIeoH8KLCtdz8RUweOrsahozDYB5HSXAOb8mQEelXmZeKhaWr1JLrfZ4Z9oBI7C4B25dchkrKaQ4bv0P~oRlGb-XDueyH3ZpoFACi~0B3UGaf4vj7aPlBS3feSPeL35L1uSCQc~8F5QfVtnOsFjxQ3GGw9yo5ycgY4JtfHw~ETfgRAwZRgEsbCqVJ55sw9j9tCmNpoLKpaDEQw6P2j1Jm5eBEB8A-Th92LBNyDAmtpDHSctiegH-6eKS16xfLC1SgzDwoxu~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montana House Education Committee conducted executive action after hearings and advanced five bills to the House floor during the meeting’s executive session.

Key outcomes recorded in the transcript:

- House Bill 153: Committee removed the bill from the table, adopted an amendment package (including changes to interim commission composition and a working-group membership requirement), and the committee voted to pass HB 153 as twice amended. Outcome: advanced to House floor (do pass, twice amended). Motion to remove and subsequent motion to pass were made on the record; final disposition in the transcript: “House Bill 153 passes to the House floor.”

- House Bill 250: Described in staff summary as “an act to generally revise education laws related to out-of-district attendance,” the committee voted by voice vote to advance HB 250 to the floor. Outcome: advanced to House floor (do pass). Members discussed transportation responsibilities for special‑education students and statutory interaction with school-transportation definitions.

- House Bill 260: The committee voted by voice to advance HB 260, which would increase stipends for teachers holding National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification and provide for annual adjustments. Outcome: advanced to House floor (do pass).

- House Bill 251: A roll-call vote was recorded for HB 251 (charter school statutory revisions). The clerk called members and the transcript captured answers; the clerk reported a tally of 12 aye and 3 no. Outcome: advanced to House floor (do pass; roll-call tally 12–3).

- House Bill 255: The committee voted by voice to advance HB 255, an act to revise online data-privacy provisions for pupil records and permit use of model contracts approved by private or public consortia. Outcome: advanced to House floor (do pass).

Where recorded, vote tallies are reported above. Several actions were voice votes and no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript. The committee adjourned after concluding executive action.","During executive action the committee removed HB 153 from the table, adopted amendments, and advanced HB 153, HB 250, HB 260, HB 251 and HB 255 to the House floor; HB 251 passed on a roll call (12–3).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Education Committee hears expansion to early intervention law to add numeracy

Montana committee hears bill to make K-3 reading instruction 'evidence based'

House Education Committee advances five bills to the House floor during executive action