This bill seeks to enhance early educational interventions by broadening the focus from literacy to include numeracy, thereby improving support for young children. It introduces greater flexibility in evaluating children's eligibility for these interventions, which is expected to increase access to essential resources. The bill also revises reporting requirements to ensure effective data collection and sharing, promoting accountability and transparency in educational programs. Key amendments to the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) include the insertion of new language that reflects these changes, particularly in sections related to educational reporting and intervention strategies.

Furthermore, the bill outlines specific reporting requirements for various state departments and agencies, covering a range of topics such as public safety, health services, and education. Notably, it deletes the term "literacy" from certain sections, indicating a shift towards a more comprehensive approach to education that includes both reading and math skills. The legislation also introduces new methodologies for evaluating children's readiness in these areas and specifies how enrollment calculations for funding purposes will be adjusted to account for students demonstrating proficiency, including those in jumpstart programs and students with disabilities. Overall, the bill aims to empower families with information and resources while fostering a skilled workforce through enhanced educational frameworks.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_1(1): 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_1(2): 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_1(3): 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_1(4): 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_1(5): 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_1: 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_X(1): 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_X(2): 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_X(3): 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_X(4): 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_X(5): 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_X(6): 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_X(7): 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
HB0338_X: 5-11-222, 20-3-326, 20-5-101, 20-7-1801, 20-7-1802, 20-7-1803, 20-7-1804, 20-9-311