Early Literacy Targeted Intervention Programs Offered
in the Billings Public Schools (2024)
In 2023, the Montana legislature passed an Early Intervention Act (HB 352),
designed to improve the number of students reading proficiently by third grade. 20-
7-1803, MCA, provides three different types of interventions that districts may offer
their eligible students: classroom-based, home-based, and jumpstart programs.
A child must have parental consent to be screened for
participation in any of the established early literacy intervention
programs. A child is determined eligible by the evaluation
criteria selected by the Board of Public Education. Per the
legislation, the evaluation methodology may be administered in April, May, or June
before the qualifying school year.
Classroom-Based Program: KinderREADy website
■ Child is not yet entering or has not completed kindergarten
■ Must be 4 years of age or older on or before September 10
■ Programming will be half time (AM or PM) throughout the full school year, taught by certified teachers
■ Classrooms at 3 community elementary school “hubs” - Bench, McKinley and Orchard Elementaries (no transportation provided)
■ Eligible students will be determined utilizing approved evaluation methodology (at KinderRoundup event - April 18-24, 2024)
■ Instruction will align to Montana Early Learning Standards (currently in revision)
■ BPS will be able to serve 288 students in this program (2024-25). Placement is not guaranteed.
■ Interested parents should pre-register their child using the link on the KinderREADy website OR the BPS website (under enrollment)
Jumpstart Program: Jumpstart website
■ Eligible child who is 5 years of age or older, on or before Sept 10, not yet completed 3rd grade
■ Takes place in summer during the end of one school calendar and the start of the next
○ July 8 - August 23, 2024
○ Monday-Thursday plus Friday 7/12 and 8/23
○ 8:00am-12:00pm
○ Classrooms at 5 community elementary school “hubs” - Bench, McKinley, Newman, Orchard and Ponderosa Elementaries
■ Requires 120 hours of instruction in a minimum of 4 weeks of programming
■ Aligns with Montana Early Learning Standards and Montana Content Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy
■ Eligible students will be identified and “invited” based on their Spring FastBridge test scores. Teachers/principals will work together to identify students who show a deficit in any literacy area for their grade level. Teachers/principals will reach out to parents to invite students and share the registration.
■ Placement is not guaranteed. Eligible/Interested families should register students ASAP for best chance of placement. Registration form is available on the Jumpstart website