Susie Hedalen

How much does it cost to teach a child in Montana, and what’s the right way to pay the bill? That’s the question a group of lawmakers and education advocates will attempt to answer over the next year and a half. MTPR’s Austin Amestoy sat down with host Elinor Smith to explain why finding the answer could be easier said than done.

Last school year, the state implemented a new standardized test designed to make sure students are meeting state and federal requirements. But teachers say the rollout has been a mess.

The U.S. Department of Education Friday released billions of dollars in funding previously approved by Congress and withheld by the Trump administration. Montana schools were considering staff and program cuts to make up for the state's $26 million slice of funds.

The head of Montana’s education department was cited for driving under the influence last weekend

The state Senate is mulling an ethics report about one of its own. Lawmakers hope to pass bills to boost teacher pay. The state school superintendent supports eliminating the federal Department of Education. And Montana's congressional delegation has no desire to hold public town halls.

President Donald Trump is slashing the Department of Education’s workforce. MTPR’s Austin Amestoy speaks with Montana Superintendent of Schools Susie Hedalen to learn how public education in Montana may be impacted.

More hard feelings erupt in the state Senate. State lawmakers appear poised to ban trans women from competing in women's sports. And Sen. Tim Sheehy says Elon Musk is doing a great job.

The Trump Administration says it won’t enforce discrimination protections for transgender students expanded during former President Joe Biden’s term. The move has support from Montana’s leader of K-12 education.

Next month, the state education department will have a new leader for the first time in eight years. Townsend Public Schools Superintendent Susie Hedalen is set to take over the Office of Public Instruction following a campaign promising to “bring education back to basics.” She joined MTPR’s Austin Amestoy to talk about her plans for her first term.

Montana Republicans swept statewide offices in the 2024 election.