This bill seeks to enhance early childhood education in Montana by revising existing laws related to early literacy interventions to include a focus on numeracy. It introduces greater flexibility in evaluating children's eligibility for these programs, which is expected to improve access and responsiveness to individual needs. The bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to reflect these changes, including the removal of the term "literacy" in certain contexts and its replacement with broader terms like "educational," while also emphasizing the importance of math proficiency. Additionally, it establishes new definitions and evaluation methodologies to ensure that interventions are developmentally appropriate and research-based.

Moreover, the bill outlines comprehensive reporting requirements for various state departments and agencies, mandating regular updates on the implementation and outcomes of early literacy and numeracy interventions. It requires school district trustees to develop and provide information on educational opportunities available to students and their families, ensuring alignment with legislative intent. The bill also introduces provisions for calculating Average Number Belonging (ANB) for students in various educational programs, including those in jumpstart programs, and establishes guidelines for attendance and enrollment reporting. Overall, the legislation aims to improve educational outcomes for children by expanding access to resources and support systems while enhancing transparency and accountability in reporting.

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