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Board pushes OPI to return with shorter CAEP MOU after rejecting 7-year proposal
Summary
After extensive discussion about joint accreditation and the administrative burden on smaller educator-preparation programs, the board rejected a seven-year CAEP MOU and directed the Office of Public Instruction to return in September with a shorter multiyear proposal, likely three or four years.
OPI staff and board members debated a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) to permit joint accreditation between Montana educator-preparation providers and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Julie Murgel (OPI) described alignment between ARM 10.58 and CAEP standards and the administrative commitments required for joint CAEP reviews.
The superintendent's office proposed a multi-year term; OPI originally suggested a one-year MOU in the board packet, and OPI later submitted a seven-year term for consideration. Board members expressed concern that seven years was excessive and wanted a more predictable but shorter multiyear period to align with campuses'accreditation cycles. One board member said, "I don't want to be voting for a 7-year cycle," and others raised points about predictability and scheduling for institutions preparing nine months in advance. A motion to approve the seven-year MOU failed on a roll-call vote, and the board asked OPI to return in September with an adjusted proposal likely in the 3-4 year range and to convene the licensure committee for additional review.
The board did not approve joint accreditation in this meeting; OPI will negotiate with CAEP and present a new MOU for board consideration in September.
