What is Graduation Matters Montana?
Superintendent Juneau launched a statewide effort in the spring of 2010 to ensure Montana's public schools graduate more students prepared for college and careers.
Policy Changes
Superintendent Juneau proposed covering the cost of the ACT for every high school junior in the Office of Public Instruction's budget at the 2011 Legislature. Funding to cover the cost of the ACT for every junior has been secured through a seven-year grant under the Commissioner of Higher Education's GEAR UP program. This partnership between OPI and OCHE will provide a complete picture of how well our K-12 public education system is preparing all students for life after high school and provide every Montana junior the opportunity to assess their college-readiness.
Superintendent Juneau recommended adoption of the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and Math to the Board of Public Education (BPE), and the BPE adopted these standards in November of 2011. The Montana Common Core Standards are higher and clearer than current state standards and will prepare our students for college and to compete in today's global economy. She also convened a task force to review Montana's accreditation standards to make them more performance-based and to provide school districts needed flexibility to focus on results.
During the 2011 Legislative Session, Superintendent Juneau championed bills to raise the legal drop out age from "age 16" to "age 18 or upon graduation" and to establish common definitions and procedures for anti-bullying policies for all school districts. Superintendent Juneau will continue to support legislation and administrative policies that set high expectations for students and create safe school climates.
Relevant Coursework and Career Preparation
In Montana, all high school students take at least one career and technical education course, and over half take three or more. Discussions with students make it clear they desire classes that relate to real-world experiences, career preparation and include hands-on learning. Superintendent Juneau supports the expansion of Big Sky Pathways, a partnership with the Montana University System that links students to career coursework paths so they earn college credits and explore careers while they are in high school.
Workforce projections by the U.S. Department of Labor show that by 2018, nine of the 10 fastest-growing occupations that require at least a bachelor’s degree will also require significant scientific or mathematical training. Superintendent Juneau is convening education stakeholders and business partners to create a pipeline for students to be prepared for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math through OPI’s statewide STEM initiative.
Business and Community Partnerships
Montana employers want an educated and innovative workforce, and schools understand they need to develop new strategies to achieve the goal of preparing educated, work-ready graduates. Superintendent Juneau and local Graduation Matters initiatives are working with statewide and local business partners to engage business and community leaders who are committed to helping students graduate prepared for college and careers and to ensuring Montana communities thrive in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.
