Administrative Rules of the State of Montana

BEFORE THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

In the matter of the adoption of New Rules I through New Rule XVI, the amendment of ARM 10.54.3610 through 10.54.3613, 10.54.3620 through 10.54.3623, 10.54.3630 through 10.54.3633, 10.54.3640 through 10.54.3643, and the repeal of ARM 10.54.3010 through 10.54.3013, 10.54.3020 through 10.54.3023, 10.54.3030 through 10.54.3033, 10.54.3040 through 10.54.3043, 10.54.3050 through 10.54.3053, 10.54.3087 through 10.54.3098, 10.54.3210 through 10.54.3213, 10.54.3220 through 10.54.3223, 10.54.3230 through 10.54.3233, 10.54.3240 through 10.54.3243, 10.54.3250 through 10.54.3253, 10.54.3287 through 10.54.3298, 10.54.3410 through 10.54.3413, 10.54.3420 through 10.54.3423, 10.54.3430 through 10.54.3433, 10.54.3440 through 10.54.3443, 10.54.3450 through 10.54.3453, 10.54.3460 through 10.54.3463, 10.54.3487 through 10.54.3498, 10.54.3687 through 10.54.3698, 10.54.3810 through 10.54.3813, 10.54.3820 through 10.54.3823, 10.54.3830 through 10.54.3833, 10.54.3840 through 10.54.3843, 10.54.3887 through 10.54.3898, pertaining to communication arts content standards and performance descriptors

)

)

)

)

)

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

NOTICE OF ADOPTION, AMENDMENT, AND REPEAL

TO: All Concerned Persons

1. On November 25, 2009, the Board of Public Education published MAR Notice No. 10-54-254 pertaining to the public hearing on the proposed adoption, amendment, and repeal of the above-stated rules at page 2196 of the 2009 Montana Administrative Register, Issue Number 22.

2. The board has adopted the following rules as proposed: NEW RULE I (10.54.3650), NEW RULE V (10.54.3701), NEW RULE VI (10.54.3702), NEW RULE IX (10.54.3705), NEW RULE X (10.54.3706), NEW RULE XI (10.54.3707), NEW RULE XIII (10.54.3709), NEW RULE XIV (10.54.3710), and NEW RULE XV (10.54.3711).

3. The board has adopted the following new rules, but with the following changes from the original proposal, new matter underlined, deleted matter interlined:

NEW RULE II (10.54.3651) BENCHMARK FOR COMMUNICATION ARTS WRITING CONTENT STANDARD 5 FOR END OF GRADE 4 (1) through (1)(e) remain as proposed.

(f) identify and practice conventions of standard written English (e.g., usage, punctuation, and spelling), for appropriate purpose, audience, and form;

(g) through (i) remain as proposed.

(j) use an information problem solving process to research a topic;

(k) through (m) remain as proposed.

NEW RULE III (10.54.3652) BENCHMARK FOR COMMUNICATION ARTS WRITING CONTENT STANDARD 5 FOR END OF GRADE 8 (1) through (1)(e) remain as proposed.

(f) apply conventions of standard written English (e.g., usage, punctuation, and spelling) appropriate for purpose, audience, and form;

(g) through (i) remain as proposed.

(j) use an information problem solving process to collect and utilize information to research a topic;

(k) through (m) remain as proposed.

NEW RULE IV (10.54.3653) BENCHMARK FOR COMMUNICATION ARTS WRITING CONTENT STANDARD 5 UPON GRADUATION (1) through (1)(i) remain as proposed.

(j) use an information problem solving process to effectively synthesize information to research a topic;

(k) through (m) remain as proposed.

NEW RULE VII (10.54.3703) GRADE 4 PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTORS AT THE NEARING PROFICIENCY LEVEL (1) A student at the nearing proficiency level in communication arts demonstrates partial mastery of the prerequisite knowledge and skills fundamental for proficiency. He/she has some of the required foundational skills and, at a low level of complexity and difficulty, is able to demonstrate those skills.

(a) through (e) remain as proposed.

NEW RULE VIII (10.54.3704) GRADE 4 PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTORS AT THE NOVICE LEVEL (1) A student at the novice level in communication arts is beginning to attain prerequisite knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficiency. He/she demonstrates a low level of understanding and, with teacher guidance, is beginning to attain a foundation of knowledge and skills.

(a) through (e) remain as proposed.

NEW RULE XII (10.54.3708) GRADE 8 PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTORS AT THE NOVICE LEVEL (1) A student at the novice level in communication arts is beginning to attain prerequisite knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficiency. He/she demonstrates a low level of understanding and, with teacher guidance, is beginning to attain a foundation of knowledge and skills.

(a) through (e) remain as proposed.

NEW RULE XVI (10.54.3712) UPON GRADUATION PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTORS AT THE NOVICE LEVEL (1) A student at the novice level in communication arts is beginning to attain prerequisite knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficiency. He/she demonstrates a low level of understanding and, with teacher guidance, is beginning to attain a foundation in prerequisite knowledge and skills.

(a) through (e) remain as proposed.

4. The board has amended ARM 10.54.3610, 10.54.3611, 10.54.3612, 10.54.3613, 10.54.3620, 10.54.3621, 10.54.3622, 10.54.3623, 10.54.3630, 10.54.3631, 10.54.3632, 10.54.3633, 10.54.3640, 10.54.3642, and 10.54.3643 as proposed.

5. The board has amended ARM 10.54.3641, new matter underlined, deleted matter interlined.

10.54.3641 BENCHMARK FOR COMMUNICATION ARTS MEDIA LITERACY CONTENT STANDARD 4 FOR END OF GRADE 4 (1) through (1)(f) remain as proposed.

(g) recognize that media messages embed values and influence individuals, cultures, and societies;.

6. The board has repealed the above-stated rules as proposed.

7. The board has thoroughly considered the comments and testimony received. A summary of the comments received and the board's responses are as follows:

COMMENT #1: Ms. Lynda Brannon, MIEA, stated that the Montana Indian Education Association was pleased with the communication arts standards as noticed. Ms. Brannon provided a letter dated December 15, 2009 to the Board of Public Education from Robyn Baker, Board Member of MIEA, expressing gratitude to all who have put forth the effort and diligence in ensuring the inclusion of Indian Education for All in each of the communication arts standards.

COMMENT #2: Dr. Claudette Morton, Montana Small Schools Alliance, acknowledged how the standards changed over the years and was pleased to see they are comprehensively integral to each other. Dr. Morton also submitted written testimony. She stated, "These new standards are the best that … [were] ever proposed. They represent the cutting edge of research in communication arts as well as an understanding of what works and what our students need to be successful."

RESPONSE #1: The Board of Public Education appreciates the comments in support of the proposed rules from Ms. Lynda Brannon and Dr. Claudette Morton.

COMMENT #3: Ms. Kris Goyins, Communication Arts Curriculum Specialist, OPI, recommended the following grammatical changes by oral and written testimony:

NEW RULE II BENCHMARK FOR COMMUNICATION ARTS WRITING CONTENT STANDARD 5 FOR END OF GRADE 4 (1)(f) identify and practice conventions of standard written English (e.g., usage, punctuation, and spelling), for appropriate purpose, audience, and form;

NEW RULE II BENCHMARK FOR COMMUNICATION ARTS WRITING CONTENT STANDARD 5 FOR END OF GRADE 4 (1)(j) use an information problem solving process to research a topic;

NEW RULE III BENCHMARK FOR COMMUNICATION ARTS WRITING CONTENT STANDARD 5 FOR END OF GRADE 8 (1)(f) apply conventions of standard written English (e.g., usage, punctuation, and spelling) appropriate for purpose, audience and form;

NEW RULE III BENCHMARK FOR COMMUNICATION ARTS WRITING CONTENT STANDARD 5 FOR END OF GRADE 8 (1)(j) use an information problem solving process to collect and utilize information to research a topic;

NEW RULE IV BENCHMARK FOR COMMUNICATION ARTS WRITING CONTENT STANDARD 5 UPON GRADUATION (1)(j) use an information problem solving process to effectively synthesize information to research a topic;

NEW RULE VII GRADE 4 PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTORS AT THE NEARING PROFICIENCY LEVEL (1) A student at the nearing proficiency level in communication arts demonstrates partial mastery of the prerequisite knowledge and skills fundamental for proficiency. He/she has some of the required foundational skills and, at a low level of complexity and difficulty, is able to demonstrate those skills.

NEW RULE VIII GRADE 4 PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTORS AT THE NOVICE LEVEL (1) A student at the novice level in communication arts is beginning to attain prerequisite knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficiency. He/she demonstrates a low level of understanding and, with teacher guidance, is beginning to attain a foundation of knowledge and skills.

NEW RULE XII GRADE 8 PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTORS AT THE NOVICE LEVEL (1) A student at the novice level in communication arts is beginning to attain prerequisite knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficiency. He/she demonstrates a low level of understanding and, with teacher guidance, is beginning to attain a foundation of knowledge and skills.

NEW RULE XVI UPON GRADUATION PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTORS AT THE NOVICE LEVEL (1) A student at the novice level in communication arts is beginning to attain prerequisite knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficiency. He/she demonstrates a low level of understanding and, with teacher guidance, is beginning to attain a foundation in prerequisite knowledge and skills.

ARM 10.54.3641 BENCHMARK FOR SPEAKING AND LISTENING COMMUNICATION ARTS MEDIA LITERACY CONTENT STANDARD 4 FOR END OF GRADE 4 (1)(g) recognize that media messages embed values and influence individuals, cultures, and societies.

RESPONSE #2: The Board of Public Education recognizes and accepts the grammatical corrections in the proposed language.

/s/ Steve Meloy /s/ Patty Myers

Steve Meloy Patty Myers

Rule Reviewer Chairperson

Board of Public Education

Certified to the Secretary of State January 19, 2010.