Montana
State Standards Analysis & Recommendations for Improvement
COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS
Readiness standards are published and promoted and describe the competencies students need to learn and possess for entry into and success in college and the workforce. They may or may not be assessed by the state but exist as guidance for educators and expectations for students.
Yes
Does the state define college and/or career readiness?
Yes, the state’s definition of college and/or career readiness is “Students having the skills, knowledge, and abilities needed to succeed in life after high school, whether that’s college or career. This measure is based on benchmarks of success that include academic and content knowledge, cognitive and higher-order thinking strategies, and critical thinking and problem solving.”
Yes
Does the state have career readiness standards?
Yes, the state’s career-readiness standards are available here.
Yes
Does the state report metrics related to college and/or career readiness?
Yes, the state’s reported metrics related to college and/or career readiness include:
- ACT
- NAEP
- Cumulative GPA
- Remediation rates
Additional Resources: Montana ESSA Plan, Student Achievement & Performance Data
Yes
Does the state include college/career readiness in its accountability formula?
Yes, find out more about college/career readiness in the state’s accountability formula here.
Yes
Are students expected to demonstrate readiness for college and/or career upon graduation?
Yes, students are expected to demonstrate college and/or career readiness through:
- Advanced Coursework Enrollment
- Postsecondary Assessment (SAT/ACT/Other)
- CTE Participation (CTE, WBL, Credential, Apprenticeship, Other)
Yes
Are Durable Skills reflected in career readiness standards?
Yes, the following Durable Skills are reflected in the state’s career-readiness standards:
- Character
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Critical Thinking
- Fortitude
- Growth Mindset
- Leadership
- Metacognition
- Mindfulness
Yes
Does the state publish career readiness/employability skills standards?
Yes, the state’s career-readiness/employability skills are available here.
No
Does the state have a complete framework for work-based learning?
Yes
Does the state define WBL?
Yes, the state’s definition for work-based learning is available here.
No
Does the state have clear expectations for WBL programs?
No
Does the state have a WBL quality guide?
Yes
Does the state report on WBL participation and outcomes?
Yes, Montana collects data on WBL participation and outcomes for students who participate in WBL through CTE programs. The state does not collect data on WBL opportunities outside of CTE.
Yes
Does the state use WBL participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding?
Yes, the state uses work-based learning participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding. Learn more here.
Yes
Does the state provide guidance related to career/employability skills?
Yes, the state’s guidance related to career/employability skills can be found here.
WORK-BASED LEARNING (WBL)
Work-based learning describes comprehensive guidance, expectations for educators and employers, and quality indicators for assessment.
DURABLE SKILLS ALIGNED WITH READINESS GUIDANCE
GRADUATE PROFILE
A graduate profile includes the competencies and skills a student possesses when they graduate from high school. They showcase student learning outcomes and present a full picture of a student’s abilities.
Yes
Does the state include career/workforce readiness in its graduation requirements?
Yes, the readiness requirements outlined by the state are completion of at least 1 unit of career and technical education. Students demonstrate they’ve met these requirements via coursework.
Additional Resource: MT Career Pathways
No
Does the state outline a robust set of graduation requirements?
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