Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD)

Montana Higher Education Consortium By-Laws 2025

The following are by-laws and operating procedures for the Montana Higher Education Consortium (HEC).

1. Name—The name of the group will be the Montana Higher Education Consortium. In these by-laws, the word “Consortium” will be used throughout these by-laws.
2. Vision of the Consortium—The vision of the Consortium is to exchange ideas and encourage professional development opportunities for general education, special education and related services, and educational leadership faculty of all Montana educator preparation and educational leadership programs; provide a mechanism for collaboration, networking, and discussion; and provide advice on critical issues for Montana general education educator preparation, special education educator and related service provider preparation, and educational leadership faculty.
3. Mission of the Consortium—The Montana HEC will:
   • Encourage a more seamless educational system and merge general and special education into one unified system.
   • Understand and promote the use of evidence-based academic and behavioral strategies.
   • Closely link Montana educator preparation and educational leadership programs to PK–12 public education and the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI).
4. Affiliation—The Consortium is an activity under the Montana Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) (please reference ARM 10.16.3135). Funding for the Consortium is provided by the Montana Office of Public Instruction, Special Education Unit.
5. Montana Office of Public Instruction —The Montana CSPD Coordinator will serve as the lead contact for the HEC Consortium under the direction of the Montana State Special Education Director.
6. Membership—The Consortium is comprised of Montana general and special education faculty from educator and related service provider preparation and educational leadership programs in Montana. The current membership includes faculty from the following Montana Universities and Colleges:
   • Universities
     • Montana State University - Billings
     • Montana State University - Bozeman
     • Montana State University - Northern
     • University of Montana - Missoula
     • University of Montana - Western
     • University of Providence
   • Colleges
     • Carroll College
     • Dawson Community College
     • Great Falls College – Montana State University
     • Helena College – University of Montana
     • Miles Community College
     • Rocky Mountain College
   • Tribal Colleges
     • Blackfeet Community College
     • Chief Dull Knife College
     • Fort Belknap College
     • Fort Peck Community College
     • Little Big Horn College
     • Salish Kootenai College
     • Stone Child College
   • OPI maintains a list of approved Montana educator preparation programs, which the HEC references.
7. Meetings—There are two meetings conducted each year in the Spring and Fall. The location is determined by the Montana Office of Public Instruction and Consortium Leads. The agenda and topics are determined by the Consortium membership in collaboration with the Montana State Special Education Director.
8. Consortium Leadership—The CSPD Coordinator, in consultation with the Montana State Special Education Director, will select two members of the Consortium to provide planning and implementing Consortium activities. One Lead will be from general education faculty and one from special education faculty.
   1. Lead Members Responsibilities—The following are possible responsibilities of the two Lead Consortium members:
      • Collaborate and communicate with the CSPD Coordinator and Montana State Special Education Director regarding all Consortium activities.
      • Assist in planning Consortium agendas and meetings and connect with faculty regarding presentations and meeting topics.
      • Connect with host faculty regarding the location/facility for each Consortium meeting.
      • Communicate with Consortium members regarding all activities and meetings.
      • Assist TAESE staff with the facilitation of planning meetings and Consortium meetings.
   2. Term of Office—There is no term limit for the Consortium Leads. The Consortium Leads can resign their position but should give adequate notice to the Montana State Special Education Director. In the event a Consortium Lead is not fulfilling their responsibilities, the Montana State Special Education Director will consult with the CSPD Coordinator and the other Consortium Lead to determine the process to improve responsibility performance or remove the Lead from their position.
9. General HEC Membership Expectations—Faculty members from general education, special education educator preparation and related services, and educational leadership programs should:
   • Attend Consortium meetings.
   • Share with other HEC members research, initiatives, and other programs of interest at their IHE.
   • Promote the HEC with other faculty members. Notify TAESE if names and contact information changes at their IHE.
10. TAESE Responsibilities—OPI contracts with TAESE to assist with the HEC. They will complete duties as assigned within the contract.
11. By-Laws—The HEC by-laws should be reviewed annually by the Consortium Leadership and shared with Consortium members.