Montana Office of Public Instruction
Introduction The '''Montana Office of Public Instruction''' ('''OPI''') is the state education agency of Montana. Elsie Arntzen currently serves as the Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction. The agency is headquartered in Helena.The people of Montana have elected a Superintendent of Public Instruction as one of the five members of the executive branch since 1889.By law, the superintendent has general supervision of the K-12 public schools and school districts. The superintendent also serves as a member of the Land Board, the State Library Commission, and as an ''ex officio'' non-voting member of the Board of Public Education, the Board of Regents, and the Board of Education.
School data 2018-19<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://opi.mt.gov/Portals/182/Page%20Files/Superintendent's%20Folder/FactsAboutMontanaEducation.pdf?ver=2019-04-02-121817-760|title=Facts About Montana Education 2019|website=Montana Office of Public Instruction|access-date=August 1, 2019}}</ref>  School Data 2008-2009 Elementary Schools 435 Middle, 7&8, Junior High Schools 217 High Schools 171 Total Schools 823
School graduation rates  School Year Graduation Rate 2017-2018 86.39% 2016-2017 85.83% 2015-2016 85.64% 2014-2015 86.04% 2013-2014 85.43% 2012-2013 84.41%
Denise Juneau 2009-2017 Denise Juneau took office on January 5, 2009.In that same year tobacco use among Montana teens declined and student Student ACT scores were reporting up in 2009 from 2008.However, those two 2009 reported successes were attributed to the previous superintendent of Public Instruction, Linda McCulloch. In that same year math scores showed that Montana fourth and eighth–graders continued to test above the national average, and the number of students who struggle with reading was down from 2008.In 2009, Montana's leadership in key Indian Education policies was recognized. Bozeman middle–school student Marina Dimitrov became America's Top Young Scientist. The National Indian Education Association named Denise Juneau 2009 Educator of the Year, and under Juneau's leadership Montana became one of only seven states receiving grants to increase the number of graduates.At the end of 2009, Montana was awarded grants for schools to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to students. Juneau also promoted local agriculture through farm to school programs.
Montana Superintendents of Public Instruction NameYears Elsie Arntzen2017–PresentDenise Juneau2009–2017Linda McCulloch2001–2009Nancy Keenan1989–2001Ed Argenbright1981–1989Georgia Ruth Rice1977–1981Dolores Colburg1969–1977Harriet Miller1957–1969Mary M. Condon1949–1957Elizabeth Ireland1941–1949Ruth Reardon1937–1941Mary Trumper1917–1929Henry A. Davee1905–1917W. W. Welch1901–1905E. W. Carlton1897–1901E. A. Steere1893–1897John Gannon1889–1893
References
External links *  Montana Office of Public Instruction