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HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen opened day one of a three-day meeting of the Montana Math Standards Revision Taskforce. The purpose of the standards review process is to assure that Montana public schools are setting high academic standards for all children of our great state. The goal is to serve our Montana students and educators with the best possible mathematics standards to guide instruction and prepare our students for their lives beyond the classroom.

“Math is the foundation of learning and emphasizes my Back to Basics message,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “The purpose of this Math Taskforce is to create Math Standards that will strengthen both teacher confidence and student success. I am appreciative of the many hours the members of the Taskforce are dedicating to putting our Montana students first!”

The Math Standards Taskforce is divided into two teams, the Development Team and the Review Team. Currently, the Development Team is meeting and will send their work to the Review Team, which will meet on August 3, 2023. The recommended changes to the Math Content Standards will then be reviewed by the Superintendent. As required by § 20-7-101, MCA, the proposed rules will be sent to a Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (NRC) comprised of:

- school district trustees

- school administrators

- teachers

- school business officials

- parents

- taxpayers

- and per HB 383, which was passed during the last legislative session, a Tribal Representative

The NRC will meet between September and December 2023. The proposed rules and an economic impact statement will then be sent to the Montana Board of Public Education in January 2024, for review, public comment, and adoption.