OPI Special Education Endorsement Project

Superintendent and School District Information

The OPI Special Education Endorsement Project was designed to provide special education teachers for those districts that have been unsuccessful in recruiting and retaining a fully-endorsed special education teacher.  The quality of the teachers produced through the project depends on the commitment and support of school district administration.  This can be accomplished by allowing the mentoring teacher the necessary time to work with the student, and to fulfill the project requirement of completing the on-line Mentor Seminar course or other approved instruction..  A $500 stipend from OPI, along with a $500 match from the school district will be given to first year mentors contingent upon their completion of the Mentor Seminar course, or other approved instruction, and logbook documentation.

As the superintendent/school administrator, we appreciate your understanding and commitment in allowing your candidate and their mentor the necessary time to meet these requirements. The endorsement project candidate will be allowed to function as a special education teacher without the school district being cited a deviation on the accreditation report, or cited for corrective action during a special education onsite monitoring review.  Because the candidates are not fully endorsed in the area of their teaching assignment, a special waiver has been provided by the Board of Public Education allowing them to fill the special education position. 

Any questions you may have during the course of your teacher's involvement in the OPI Special Education Endorsement Project can be directed to 657-2097.

Please inquire with the Office of Public Instruction at  www.metnet.state.mt.us/ for questions regarding certification status and/or to request copies.