November 29, 2007
The Honorable Linda McCulloch
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Montana Office of Public Instruction
1227 11th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59620-2501
Dear Superintendent McCulloch:
I am pleased to approve Montana's assessment system under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). I congratulate you on meeting this important NCLB requirement.
My decision is based on input from peer reviewers external to the U.S. Department of Education (Department) and Department staff who reviewed and carefully considered the evidence submitted by Montana. I have concluded that the evidence demonstrates that Montana's standards and assessment system satisfies the ESEA requirements. Specifically, Montana's system includes academic content standards in reading/language arts, mathematics, and science; student achievement standards in reading/language arts and mathematics; alternate achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in reading/language arts and mathematics; and assessments and alternate assessments in each of grades 3-8 and high school in reading/language arts and mathematics. Accordingly, Montana's system warrants Full Approval. This status means that Montana's standards and assessment system meets all statutory and regulatory requirements for reading/language arts and mathematics.
Please be aware that approval of Montana's assessment system under NCLB is not a determination that the system complies with Federal civil rights requirements, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Finally, please remember that, if Montana makes significant changes in its assessment system, the State must submit information about those changes to the Department for review and approval.
We have found it a pleasure working with your staff on this review. Please accept my congratulations for your State's approved standards and assessment system under the ESEA. I wish you well in your continued efforts to improve student achievement in Montana.
Sincerely,
Kerri L. Briggs, Ph.D.
cc: Governor Brian Schweitzer
Nancy Coopersmith
Judy Snow
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