20-1-502. American Indian studies — definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply:

Terms Used In Montana Code 20-1-502

  • Board of public education: means the board created by Article X, section 9, subsection (3), of the Montana constitution and 2-15-1507. See Montana Code 20-1-101
  • 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
  • Instruction: means :

    (a)a formal course of study or class, developed with the advice and assistance of Indian people, that is offered separately or that is integrated into existing accreditation standards by a unit of the university system or by an accredited tribal community college located in Montana, including a teacher education program within the university system or a tribal community college located in Montana, or by the board of trustees of a school district;

    (b)inservice training developed by the superintendent of public instruction in cooperation with educators of Indian descent and made available to school districts;

    (c)inservice training provided by a local board of trustees of a school district, which is developed and conducted in cooperation with tribal education departments, tribal community colleges, or other recognized Indian education resource specialists; or

    (d)inservice training developed by professional education organizations or associations in cooperation with educators of Indian descent and made available to all certified and classified personnel. See Montana Code 20-1-502

  • 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
  • Superintendent of public instruction: means that state government official designated as a member of the executive branch by the Montana constitution. See Montana Code 20-1-101
  • 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
  • Trustees: means the governing board of a district. See Montana Code 20-1-101
  • University: means the university of Montana-Missoula. See Montana Code 20-1-101

(1)”American Indian studies” means instruction pertaining to the history, traditions, customs, values, beliefs, ethics, language, and contemporary affairs of American Indians, particularly Indian tribal groups in Montana.

(2)”Educational agency” means:

(a)the Montana university system;

(b)professional educator preparation programs accredited by the board of public education;

(c)the board of public education;

(d)the office of public instruction; and

(e)school districts.

(3)”Instruction” means:

(a)a formal course of study or class, developed with the advice and assistance of Indian people, that is offered separately or that is integrated into existing accreditation standards by a unit of the university system or by an accredited tribal community college located in Montana, including a teacher education program within the university system or a tribal community college located in Montana, or by the board of trustees of a school district;

(b)inservice training developed by the superintendent of public instruction in cooperation with educators of Indian descent and made available to school districts;

(c)inservice training provided by a local board of trustees of a school district, which is developed and conducted in cooperation with tribal education departments, tribal community colleges, or other recognized Indian education resource specialists; or

(d)inservice training developed by professional education organizations or associations in cooperation with educators of Indian descent and made available to all certified and classified personnel.