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Lawmakers consider process, funding to identify and bulk-purchase high-quality instructional materials
Summary
House Bill 462 would require the Office of Public Instruction and the Board of Public Education to identify high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) during the standards-adoption process, and provides an appropriation intended to reduce districts' purchase costs and support professional development tied to curriculum implementation.
Representative David Beatty told the House Education Committee that House Bill 462 would embed identification of high-quality instructional materials into the state's negotiated rulemaking process so districts could access vetted curriculum options and associated professional development.
"Adopting high quality instructional materials is essential to advancing proficiency based learning and improving education outcomes in our state," sponsor Representative David Beatty said in his opening. The bill would define HQIM, ask the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) to evaluate and recommend materials to the Board of Public Education, and include a one-time appropriation intended to reduce the cost to districts that choose to adopt vetted materials.
Supporters — including classroom teachers, the Coalition of Advocates for Montana's Public Schools, the Montana Federation of Public Employees, and researchers — testified that HQIM paired with curriculum-aligned professional development improves instruction, accelerates learning, and can narrow achievement gaps. "Teachers deserve to have access to and specific training for the professional tools of their trade," testified Trish Schreiber, a professional educator. Ashley Berner of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy highlighted research linking HQIM to improved outcomes and urged including principals in curriculum-focused professional development.
Several witnesses, including the Coalition, recommended clarifying how any external nonprofit partner would be selected and suggested language to allow materials that could reasonably be adapted to align with Montana standards. Committee members pressed the sponsor on the bill's fiscal details. Representative Thane asked whether the proposed appropriation would help pay for districts' purchases or would instead support local curriculum development; Beatty said the appropriation is intended to offset acquisition costs and associated professional development. The bill text referenced a $3,000,000 appropriation during committee discussion.
Members also asked why the math subject was singled out in the appropriation; Beatty said math was chosen because recent math standards were scheduled for implementation and because improving math proficiency is a state priority. No committee vote was recorded at the hearing.
The committee heard technical questions about defining "align" and about who would serve as the external partner; the sponsor said the OPI would recommend a nonprofit or subject-matter expert and the Board of Public Education would approve such a partner, with procurement details subject to a competitive process.
The committee closed the hearing on House Bill 462 after proponent and informational testimony.
