With the support of REL Northwest, the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) is using cutting-edge research to revise state standards in crucial content areas—mathematics, world languages, and English language arts (ELA). In addition, OPI has the unique responsibility to include Indian Education for All in their content standards, as established in the Constitution of Montana. In response, OPI developed a process to consider cultural relevancy and the research base for each content area.

OPI began mathematics standards revisions in October 2022, moved to world language revisions in January 2023, and ELA revisions in October 2023. Following a rigorous schedule, OPI plans to adopt all of the new standards by the summer of 2026.

REL Northwest has been working with OPI to provide up-to-date research briefs to share with standards revisions teams across the different subject areas. For each set of standards, REL Northwest or OPI led the OPI standards revision team through a review of the research and facilitated focused discussions to help the team make evidence-based decisions about whether individual standards should remain or change. This blog outlines the partnership's journey, providing insight into the transformative work being done to elevate Montana's academic standards.

Mathematics standards revision

The REL Northwest partnership started with the mathematics standards. OPI wanted to revise and update its state-level content standards for mathematics from 2011. REL Northwest summarized research in three key areas: foundational math content for grades preK–5, process standards, and high school mathematics pathways.

The previous Montana math standards did not include process standards, which are descriptions of not just what should be taught but also how (e.g., using multiple representations, explaining reasoning, and using a variety of problem-solving approaches). Because process standards promote conceptual understanding and procedural fluency students use to approach math problems, OPI wanted to call out these strategies in statewide documents. Additionally, OPI wanted to explore various high school mathematics pathways to support a variety of academic and career goals for students.

World languages standards revision

OPI recognizes that world languages education is an integral part of preparing students for an interconnected world. As part of its commitment to providing high-quality education, OPI sought to update the world languages standards, which had not been revised since 1999. To accomplish this, OPI turned to REL Northwest's Ask an Expert service for prompt, evidence-based information to inform its standards redesign.

REL Northwest summarized research in six areas related to world language standards:

• Proficiency-based world language standards
• Grade-banded world language standards
• Appropriate assessments in world language settings
• World language standards and considerations for Indigenous language learners
• World language standards and considerations for American Sign Language
• Advantages and disadvantages of American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages proficiency standards

World language teaching and learning standards are crucial, as they establish clear expectations and measurable goals for language proficiency. Proficiency in a world language involves the ability to not only communicate effectively but also to understand and appreciate cultural nuances.

ELA standards revision

Finally, OPI sought to revise its ELA standards to ensure a solid foundation for literacy instruction across the state. To support this effort, REL Northwest developed a series of five briefs summarizing evidence-based approaches to literacy instruction. REL Northwest crafted these briefs to help OPI's ELA standards development team use current research as they revised the state's K–12 ELA standards.

Each brief addresses a key question crucial to the development of comprehensive and effective literacy standards:

• What instructional practices and models contribute to reading instruction at different grade levels?
• What is the relationship between reading and writing across grade levels?
• What are the stages of emergent literacy and language skill development?
• What are the critical components for adolescent literacy development?
• What processes and procedures for disciplinary literacy support building background knowledge, comprehension, and critical thinking skills?

By synthesizing information from practice guides, meta-analyses, and federally funded research reviews, REL Northwest's briefs serve as a valuable resource for OPI's ELA standards development team. The revised standards are intended not only to guide educators in delivering high-quality instruction but also to ensure that all students are equipped with the literacy skills necessary for academic and personal success.

The value of collaboration

The collaborative process between REL Northwest and OPI signifies a shared commitment to elevating the quality of education in Montana through research-informed decisionmaking. The partnership exemplifies a commitment to using research to inform policy and practice, ultimately enhancing the educational experiences of Montana's students.

This collaboration underscores the value of combining academic research with practical expertise to create standards that promote effective learning outcomes. By harnessing research and evidence-based practices, this collaboration aims to revise state standards to enhance student learning and prepare them for future success. The dedication to culturally relevant and well-rounded education will not only benefit current students but also set a precedent for educational excellence for years to come. As these projects progress, Montana is poised to lead by example in the development of rigorous standards.

Additional RESOURCES

• Read the ELA literacy research summaries or the world language fact sheet. 
• Learn more about standards with this REL Southeast resource deciphering the education standards in the region.
• Find best practices and relevant resources from across the REL and Comprehensive Center programs on standards revisions and adoption of new materials in REL Appalachia's REL Corner.
• Review REL Central's handout listing studies identified in a limited literature review on the extent to which standards-aligned curriculum, instruction, professional development, and assessments are associated with student and teacher outcomes.
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