The Education Interim Committee (EDIC) will meet on January 16, 2020, in Room 152 of the State Capitol and focus attention on recruitment and retention and pre-kindergarten. 

The committee will spend the morning hearing updates from various agencies and entities, including the Montana State Library, the Montana Digital Academy, the Office of Public Instruction, and the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education. The committee will also welcome students in music education programs just before lunch.

Following lunch, the committee will hear from individuals and organizations that are working to address recruitment and retention issues in Montana public schools. The discussion will include updates on the implementation of two pieces of legislation, one that provides stipends to teachers who achieve National Board Certification, and another that provides student loan repayment assistance to teachers working in rural schools and in certain subject areas.

The committee is also holding a work session on pre-kindergarten and welcoming public input on the question: If the committee determines to work on a legislative proposal to provide state-funded, voluntary pre-kindergarten to 4-year-olds, what should the committee consider in crafting that proposal?

This meeting will take place during Legislative Week, and members of the committee will be visiting Bryant School, Helena College, and East Helena High School on Wednesday afternoon, January 15. These visits are limited to committee members and confirmed guests -- space is limited. Guests must be confirmed by Friday, January 10. If you wish to participate in these visits, please contact Pad McCracken (contact info below).

The meeting will be live streamed at http://leg.mt.gov and will be broadcast on the Montana Public Affairs Network (MPAN). For more information about the meeting, including a full agenda, visit the committee’s website or contact Pad McCracken, committee staff.

Committee Website: https://leg.mt.gov/committees/interim/2019edic/

Committee Staff: padmccracken@mt.gov or (406) 444-3595