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Board pauses proposed CAEP joint-accreditation MOU; OPI spells out roles and costs
Summary
The board agreed to delay final action on a proposed memorandum of understanding with CAEP. OPI said the agency pays about $5,500 annually for AIM platform access and one conference registration, while universities pay accreditation review costs.
At the May 15 meeting the Montana Board of Public Education agreed to pause final action on a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) while the superintendents office continues discussions and provides additional background.
Julie Murgel, chief program officer at OPI, summarized the proposed partnership among the board, CAEP and the superintendents office. Murgel said OPI currently pays roughly $5,500 a year to access CAEPs AIM platform and to provide one free conference registration; the universities cover the direct costs of accreditation reviews, including team fees and travel. She said CAEP-trained reviewers are volunteers and that the agency does not pay the universities accreditation costs.
Murgel listed the states educator preparation programs that participate in joint accreditation and noted upcoming review timing: the next joint reviews for the four CAEP-participating EPPs are not due until spring 2027, and several other EPPs will have state-only reviews in the coming school year (Carroll College, Stonechild College, the University of Providence and an alternative pathway program in calendar year 2026). Murgel said OPI provided the proposed agreement in the meeting packet so board members could review roles, team composition, responsibilities and the states partnership dues.
A representative of the superintendents office told the board they had a productive meeting with CAEP leadership, that CAEP indicated no immediate urgency to finalize the MOU, and that slowing the process would not disrupt available professional development resources. A speaker from the commissioners office thanked OPI and board staff for careful coordination and said the office will stay engaged as CAEP and OPI refine the partnership.
Board members praised the timing of the pause and urged that, when the board does act, consideration be given to a longer-term agreement similar to the states prior long-term contract with Cognia so that EPPs have stability. The board agreed to revisit the MOU after the superintendents office provides additional information.
What comes next: OPI will continue conversations with CAEP and the superintendent; the board expects the superintendents recommendation and any proposed contract language to return to a future meeting for consideration.
