Montana Education Excellence

The program teaches courses lasting three weekends a semester, with the classes taught Friday evenings and Saturdays, allowing professionals to continue their jobs while continuing their educations.

“Montana’s public schools deal with the same economical issues facing businesses and families, McCulloch said.

"Montana students rank #1 when compared to other states with an equal or higher number of test-takers," said Superintendent Linda McCulloch.

“He was a visionary and doer,” said Evan Barrett, the state’s chief business development officer.

It also provides field trip fees, materials for classroom projects and awards Montana post-secondary scholarships to graduating seniors based on academic success and financial need at each high school in Helena.

“The JMG goal is for students to secure a quality job or post-secondary education that leads to a meaningful career. We believe the best way to achieve this objective is to keep students in school and to improve their success in the workforce by helping them acquire employability skills before leaving high school.

UM Provost Royce Engstrom says the announcement sets in motion a national search for Eck’s replacement.

The council worked with several MSU economics professors to design 16 Economic Learning Modules to help K-12 teachers incorporate economic lessons with ease and relevance, Fretwell said. The modules were specifically designed for teachers with little or no formal economic training.

“Distance education is a great way for Montanans to save on the cost of education,” said Governor Brain Schweitzer.

The program offers American Indian teachers in Montana an opportunity to earn a master’s degree in school administration without having to leave their jobs.