The Montana Office of Public Instruction has submitted state and federal waiver requests to ensure school districts do not have to make up lost hours due to school closures related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, waiver requests have been submitted to ensure districts do not have to complete mandated state standardized tests that are part of academic accountability as part of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.

Gov. Steve Bullock ordered all public K-12 schools closed for two weeks, which started Monday. The majority of schools in the valley start their previously scheduled spring break March 23-27.

Two waiver requests were submitted the governor, requesting he use his emergency powers to give schools flexibility. The first request is to hold schools harmless for lost instructional hours because of closures. Some school districts have already approved waiving one school make-up day, which is allowable by state law due to an unforeseen emergency.

Many schools in the valley have begun delivering instruction online, or through the traditional pencil-and-paper way by having families pick up, or sending out materials and homework. Other districts continue assessing technology needs as the state gears up for an extended closure.

Some educators may be more familiar with remote instruction than others, but all are required by law to ensure equal access to students with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights has posted a video addressing the basic requirements of delivering education online and ensuring website accessibility — unless equally effective alternate access is provided — with the understanding that educators may be new to this teaching format.

The second request submitted to the governor is to ensure schools continue receiving transportation reimbursements so they have flexibility in using their transportation resources such as delivering educational materials or food and meals.

The Office of Public Instruction also has submitted a request to the Montana Board of Public Education and the governor to waive state rules related to federally mandated standardized tests. This will allow schools to focus on student and teacher safety during this time of recommended social distancing. A similar request will be submitted by the state to the U.S. Department of Education this week. Montana standardized testing windows originally opened this month and were scheduled through May.

“I urge the OPI’s state and federal partners to give our local schools maximum flexibility to serve the needs of their students and teachers in these extraordinary times while also protecting their health and safety,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen said Wednesday in a press release. “The OPI is committed to providing every possible support to our students. I am advocating that state and federal leaders provide certainty to local communities as we look ahead to school doors opening again.”

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].