Early Literacy Programs
In 2023, the Montana legislature passed an Early Literacy Targeted Intervention Act (HB 352), designed to improve the number of students reading proficiently by third grade. 20-7-1803, MCA, provides three different types of interventions that districts may offer their eligible students: early literacy classroom for 4 year olds, home-based Waterford program, and summer jumpstart program. Whitehall School District offers all three opportunities.
The law requires a child to be screened to qualify for any of the established early literacy intervention programs. Participation in the programs is voluntary, and parents must consent to their child's screening. Whitehall School District uses the OxED Language and Reading Screener.
Early Literacy Classroom
- Child is not yet entering or has not completed kindergarten
- Must be 4 years of age or older on or before September 10
- Programming may be half or full-time (360 or 720 instructional hours)
- Must be determined eligible utilizing approved screener
- Instruction must align with the Early Learning Developmental Domains and Content Standards
- For more information contact Kurtis Koenig, Elementary School Principal [email protected]
- For eligibility screening, contact Britta Oliverson, Elementary Intervention Specialist [email protected]
Summer Jumpstart Program
- Eligible child who is 5 years of age or older, on or before Sept 10, not yet completed 3rd grade
- Takes place in summer during the end of one school calendar and the start of the next
- Requires 120 hours of instruction in a minimum of 4 weeks of programming
- Aligns with Early Learning Developmental Domains and Content Standards and Montana Content Standards for K-12 English Language Arts & Literacy
- For more information contact Kristen Wirth, 21st Century Program Director, [email protected]
- For eligibility screening, contact Britta Oliverson, Elementary Intervention Specialist [email protected]
Home-Based Learning
- For an eligible child who is 4 years of age or older on or before September 10 of the year in which the child is to participate in the program and who has not yet completed 2nd grade
- Waterford has been selected by the state as the provider for the home-based learning program.
- For more information contact Kristen Wirth, 21st Century Program Director, [email protected]
- For eligibility screening, contact Britta Oliverson, Elementary Intervention Specialist [email protected]