Montana Code 20-4-701. Legislative findings — intent
20-4-701. Legislative findings — intent. (1) The legislature finds and affirms that, pursuant to 20-9-309, the definition of “a basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools” requires the recruitment and retention of qualified and effective teachers.
Terms Used In Montana Code 20-4-701
- district: means the territory, regardless of county boundaries, organized under the provisions of this title to provide public educational services under the jurisdiction of the trustees prescribed by this title. See Montana Code 20-6-101
- school: means an institution for the teaching of children that is established and maintained under the laws of the state of Montana at public expense. See Montana Code 20-6-501
- System: means the Montana university system. See Montana Code 20-1-101
- Teacher: means a person, except a district superintendent, who holds a valid Montana teacher certificate that has been issued by the superintendent of public instruction under the provisions of this title and the policies adopted by the board of public education and who is employed by a district as a member of its instructional, supervisory, or administrative staff. See Montana Code 20-1-101
(2)The legislature finds and declares that the provision of and participation in a teacher residency program is constitutionally compliant and protected. The legislature declares that any public or private regulation that discriminates against a school district or an undergraduate student participating in a teacher residency program is inconsistent with constitutional goals and guarantees under Article X of the Montana constitution.
(3)The legislature intends that the teacher residency program be implemented in a collaborative and efficient manner among the various partnering entities and in a manner that results in teachers who participate in the program being:
(a)better prepared to teach effectively in the years following the program; and
(b)more inclined to remain in the teaching profession longer, especially in rural schools and high-need content areas.