Education
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Student drama production sets off concerns about themes of suicide
School administrators in Whitehall last month canceled a high school play, citing concerns about a scene involving youth suicide. But with rates of teen depression and thoughts of suicide on the rise, the student cast feels called to speak up, and they have a message for the district: just listen.
Latest education Reporting
State education board approves second batch of Montana public charter schools
Montana’s Board of Public Education approved public charter school applications from five districts, including Butte, Ronan and Libby, bringing the state’s total to 24 approved charters since a new law was passed in 2023.
Teacher pay, school funding and math skills top on Montana lawmakers’ priority list
Increasing teacher pay, finding ways to get more money to school districts and boosting students’ early math skills are on the agenda as Montana legislators plan to take up a broad range of proposals this year addressing the K-12 system’s most chronic challenges.
Teacher pay primed to dominate public school funding conversation in the Legislature
District and union leaders in Kalispell announced a significant pay raise for first-year teachers. But much of the agreement hinges on a new proposal crystalizing during the 2025 Legislature.
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MORE EDUCATION REPORTING
Board of Public Education fields applications for 12 more public charter schools
The Montana Board of Public Education is reviewing its second-ever round of public charter school applications. Among the proposals are new schools emphasizing virtual learning, trades education and Hutterite colony instruction, as well as a bid for what would be the state’s first charter school district in Livingston.
University of Montana program tackles counseling shortage in rural schools throughout the state
Educators often point to rising rates of youth anxiety and depression as a contributor to the steady decline in statewide academic performance, and for schools large and small, financial and hiring difficulties frequently stand in the way of providing robust mental health resources. Even outside the K-12 system, such support for students in Montana’s more…
Fewer than 20 students enrolled as state opens second application window for education savings accounts
Montana’s Office of Public Instruction is currently accepting a second round of applications for the state’s new education savings account program, which has enrolled 14 students with special needs to date and reimbursed their families more than $7,000 for nonpublic education expenses including online courses, private school tuition and laptops.
Getting the lead out
Nearly five years into lead removal efforts, most of Montana’s schools have shut down their dangerous water sources. Where do they go from here?
Child Care Connections crafts agreement to continue childcare support services
Bozeman-based nonprofit Child Care Connections is preparing to close at the end of the year, one of six organizations impacted by recent changes to state contracts for childcare support services. Greater Gallatin United Way has announced it will pick up and maintain several of CCC’s existing programs for providers and families.
Library Commission discusses definition of ‘young adult’
The Montana State Library Commission’s latest meeting featured philosophical conversations about the role of community libraries and the definition of young adult literature — the latter driven by concern that the American Library Association may use the phrase too broadly.

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