The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) is the state education agency of Montana. Elsie Arntzen currently serves as the Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction. The agency is headquartered in Helena.
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | State of Montana |
| Headquarters | Helena, Montana |
| Annual budget | $1.009 billion (2019) |
| Agency executive |
|
| Website | opi |
The people of Montana have elected a Superintendent of Public Instruction as one of the five members of the executive branch since 1889. By law, the superintendent has general supervision of the K-12 public schools and school districts. The superintendent also serves as a member of the Land Board,[1] the State Library Commission,[2] and as an ex officio non-voting member of the Board of Public Education,[3] the Board of Regents,[4] and the Board of Education.[5]
| School Data 2018-2019 | |
|---|---|
| Elementary Schools | 435 |
| Middle, 7&8, Junior High Schools | 217 |
| High Schools | 171 |
| Total Schools | 823 |
School graduation rates
edit| School Year | Graduation Rate[7] |
|---|---|
| 2017-2018 | 86.39% |
| 2016-2017 | 85.83% |
| 2015-2016 | 85.64% |
| 2014-2015 | 86.04% |
| 2013-2014 | 85.43% |
| 2012-2013 | 84.41% |
Denise Juneau 2009-2017
editDenise Juneau took office on January 5, 2009. In that same year tobacco use among Montana teens declined[8] and student Student ACT scores were reporting up in 2009 from 2008. However, those two 2009 reported successes were attributed to the previous superintendent of Public Instruction, Linda McCulloch.[9] In that same year math scores showed that Montana fourth and eighth–graders continued to test above the national average,[10] and the number of students who struggle with reading was down from 2008.[11]
In 2009, Montana's leadership in key Indian Education policies was recognized.[12] Bozeman middle–school student Marina Dimitrov became America's Top Young Scientist.[13] The National Indian Education Association named Denise Juneau 2009 Educator of the Year,[14] and under Juneau's leadership Montana became one of only seven states receiving grants to increase the number of graduates.[15]
At the end of 2009, Montana was awarded grants for schools to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to students.[16] Juneau also promoted local agriculture through farm to school programs.[17]
Montana Superintendents of Public Instruction
edit| Name | Years |
|---|---|
| Suzie Hedalen | 2025- |
| Elsie Arntzen | 2017–Present |
| Denise Juneau | 2009–2017 |
| Linda McCulloch | 2001–2009 |
| Nancy Keenan | 1989–2001 |
| Ed Argenbright | 1981–1989 |
| Georgia Ruth Rice | 1977–1981 |
| Dolores Colburg | 1969–1977 |
| Harriet Miller[18] | 1957–1969 |
| Mary M. Condon | 1949–1957 |
| Elizabeth Ireland | 1941–1949 |
| Ruth Reardon | 1937–1941 |
| Mary Trumper | 1917–1929 |
| Henry A. Davee | 1905–1917 |
| W. W. Welch | 1901–1905 |
| E. W. Carlton | 1897–1901 |
| E. A. Steere | 1893–1897 |
| John Gannon | 1889–1893 |
References
edit- ^ "DNRC Commissions & Committees". Dnrc.mt.gov. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ^ [1] Archived September 29, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [2] Archived March 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Montana University System | Montana Colleges, Universities and Community Colleges". Mus.edu. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ^ "Montana OPI Media Center". Opi.mt.gov. Archived from the original on 2010-01-07. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ^ "Facts About Montana Education 2019" (PDF). Montana Office of Public Instruction. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- ^ "Summary Graduation report". The Montana Office of Public Instruction. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
- ^ "Smoking rate decreases among Montana youth". Billingsgazette.com. 2009-08-11. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ^ "Montana's students above average in ACT scores". Helenair.com. 2009-08-20. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ^ "Montana math scores above average". Billingsgazette.com. 2009-10-15. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ^ "11/10/09 - New Study of Montana Reading First Finds Substantial Progress, Struggling Readers Reduced". Opi.mt.gov. 2009-11-10. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ^ "10/30/09 - Montana Leads the Region in Key Education Policies". Opi.mt.gov. 2009-10-30. Archived from the original on 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ^ "Bozeman girl wins America's top young scientist award - The Bozeman Daily Chronicle: News". The Bozeman Daily Chronicle. 2009-10-06. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ^ "NIEA names Denise Juneau Indian Educator of the Year". Nativetimes.com. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ^ "Montana gets grant for grads". Billingsgazette.com. 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ^ "Schools get grants to offer fresh fruit, veggies". Billingsgazette.com. 2009-10-30. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ^ "Ag producers, consumers pushing farm-to-table concept". Billingsgazette.com. 2009-11-08. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
- ^ Lawrence Kestenbaum. "Index to Politicians: Miller, G to I". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2013-10-27.