Montana OPI launches new teacher licensing system

HELENA — The Montana Workplace of Public Instruction and Superintendent Elsie Arntzen marked the launch of a brand new trainer licensing system Wednesday.

They held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to have fun the primary day of Educate Montana.

“Already we’re listening to from educators that they’re making use of, they’re in a position to get licensed effectively,” mentioned Crystal Andrews, OPI’s director of educator licensure. “There’s simply so many tales coming from all of this effort. We couldn’t be happier.”

Leaders say the brand new system is extra highly effective, with a greater variety of features. Lecturers will be capable to submit all crucial paperwork and get their certificates printed off instantly, as a substitute of getting to attend for the state to course of their utility.

Andrews mentioned the earlier licensing system – referred to as MSEIS – didn’t work as easily because it ought to have, and so they had been pressured to do some licensing by paper kinds.

Educate Montana was developed along with RANDA, an organization in Tennessee. Andrews mentioned states like Colorado and Kentucky are already utilizing RANDA techniques similar to this one.

Arntzen mentioned this variation is an element of a bigger knowledge modernization plan at OPI, funded partially by COVID-19 reduction cash allotted by the Montana Legislature. She mentioned they plan to maintain including extra options to Educate Montana within the coming years.

“The brand new system is on the town, however we’re nonetheless about individuals,” mentioned Arntzen. “We’re ensuring that our academics have the whole lot that they want to have the ability to train in our school rooms throughout our state.”