Montana Title 20. Education § 20-7-1605. Transformational learning--phase II grant program

(a) further develop the efforts of the most innovative transformational learning grantees toward district-wide implementation of transformational and proficiency-based learning;  and

(b) use the knowledge gained by phase II grantees to develop recommendations and guidance for other districts interested in innovating in a similar manner.

(a) invite those school districts that are awarded transformational learning grants to submit an application for a transformational learning phase II grant.  The application must include at a minimum:

(b) no later than February 1, 2026, determine a list of no more than five districts to recommend for a phase II grant to the board of public education for the board's approval;  and

(c) no later than July 15, 2026, and contingent on appropriation from the legislature, distribute to no more than five districts a transformational learning phase II grant.  The superintendent shall base the award amounts on the district's size and the costs outlined in its application and utilize 90% of the amount appropriated by the legislature for the grants.

(a) deposit the money in the district's flexibility fund and use the money prior to June 30, 2028, for the purposes described in the district's grant application;  and

(b) participate in collaborative activities organized by the superintendent of public instruction for grantees as described in subsection (4).

(4)(a) With the remaining 10% of the amount appropriated by the legislature, the superintendent shall provide technical assistance and collaborative opportunities for the grantees.  In supporting grantees, the superintendent may:

(b) No later than September 1, 2028, the office of public instruction and the phase II grantees shall provide a joint report to the education interim committee and the education interim budget committee[, in accordance with 5-11-210,] on the progress made by the grantees.  The report must include: