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OPI staff outline safety, career-pathway and data modernization work aligned with board plan
Summary
Office of Public Instruction staff briefed the board on initiatives in student safety (digital responsibility, suicide prevention), college/career readiness (CTE expansion, dual credit) and data modernization, proposing collaboration and a crosswalk between board and OPI plans.
Office of Public Instruction staff presented agency priorities and how they align with the board’s draft strategic plan, focusing on four pillars: safe schools and healthy students, college/career/life readiness, improved academic outcomes (literacy and math) and transparency through data modernization. The OPI presenter said the agency’s mission is "to ensure every Montana student has the opportunity to reach their full educational potential through high quality services, supports, and leadership for students, families, and educators." (OPI staff framed the alignment as an opportunity for collaboration.)
On safety, OPI described digital responsibility guidance (AI guidance and cell‑phone policies), child protection and suicide prevention efforts, school nurse shortages and partnerships with the Montana Safe School Center and other nonprofits. On career and technical education, OPI highlighted expansion of middle‑school CTE pathways, dual credit growth and online modules to connect students to local workforce needs. For data, OPI emphasized a near‑term shift from the GEMS reporting system to a modernized platform, and asked the board to consider a crosswalk rather than embedding OPI language directly into the board plan.
Board members welcomed the alignment and recommended the staff and consultants produce a crosswalk document linking the board plan and OPI initiatives for stakeholder review.
