Cost Sharing Information for Schools
On June 14, 2021, the MTDA Governing Board exercised its authority granted by MCA 20-7-1202 to begin cost-sharing with districts in fall 2021. The legislature continues to provide an appropriation to MTDA at the level established in 2015.
This decision, which was not taken lightly, was made to continue to offer a wide variety of supplemental courses to all Montana students while maintaining our commitment to deliver highly responsive customer service and support to students, parents, and school communities.
In order to continue to best serve the students of Montana into the future, school districts are now asked to share in the subsidized costs of enrollment:
- $123 per semester enrollment for original credit
- $61.50 per quarter enrollment for credit recovery
This fee represents only a small portion of the overall cost of each student enrollment in MTDA courses.
As you navigate this new model, we are sharing a few resources for your reference:
- View recorded informational webinar
- One-pager with key details
- FAQs on the cost-sharing model
Dual Credit Courses will remain at no cost share to districts, per an agreement with the Board of Regents, for the 2021-22 school year.
Informational Webinar recorded May 13th, 2021:
Cost Sharing Informational One-Pager
MTDA Cost Sharing One Pager FINAL 7-21-2021MTDA Cost Sharing One Pager FINAL 7-3-2021
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost-sharing amount?
Original Credit: $123 per semester course enrollment.
Example: Sally Student is enrolled in Oceanography and Mythology for the Fall 2021 semester. The school district will be billed for $246 ($123 x 2 courses) for that student enrollment.
Credit Recovery: $61.50 per quarter course enrollment
All credit recovery courses will now be broken down into quarter lengths (identified at Part 1 & 2) to give schools maximum flexibility. All credit recovery enrollments will begin with Part 1 of the semester-based course.
Dual Credit Courses will remain at no cost share to districts, per an agreement with the Board of Regents, for the 2021-22 school year.
Can MTDA cost-sharing fees be paid by parents?
MCA 20-7-1202 provides the following guidance:
“Funding — rulemaking authority. (2) A school district is prohibited from charging a fee to a student who enrolls in a class provided by the Montana digital academy that the school district requires for graduation.” https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0200/chapter_0070/part_0120/section_0020/0200-0070-0120-0020.html
MTDA is not in a position to interpret 20-7-1202 to clarify specific circumstances where you can or cannot hand a cost onto a third party. We would suggest bringing in your school’s legal counsel, or alternatively, if your district is a member of the Montana School Board Association, they are prepared for your call to discuss specifics regarding this issue.
Does MTDA have a cost estimate based upon our past enrollment?
Yes, please email support@montanadigitalacademy.org requesting a cost estimate using your district’s enrollment data from the 17-18, 18-19, and 19-20 school years.
How can I enroll a student?
MTDA requires districts to identify “Site Facilitators” to enroll students in the program. These “Site Facilitators” are authorized by the district to incur cost-sharing fees associated with enrolling students on behalf of the district. MTDA maintains a list of authorized site facilitators approved by the district. MTDA requires either the district superintendent or school principal to designate authorized staff responsible for enrolling students.
MTDA will annually contact the district with the current authorized Site Facilitators for review.
In order to facilitate smooth student enrollment, districts are encouraged to contact MTDA to change or review their approved Site Facilitator List by emailing support@montanadigitalacademy.org
Can other staff have access to the system without enrolling authority?
Yes, MTDA provides the role of “Local Support” to be able to view current enrollments, check grades, monitor communications. The Local Support role does not have the ability to enroll students in MTDA courses.
How is billing handled?
Original Credit:
During student enrollment, MTDA will require a PO number to be referenced for each student enrollment. This can be the same or a separate PO number for each enrollment.
Upon enrollment, the Site Facilitator will be asked to confirm they have the authorization to complete the enrollment process.
For Fall 2021, courses begin the day after Labor Day, September 7th. Students may be dropped from enrollment until September 28th without the district being charged a cost-sharing fee. After the drop deadline has passed (September 28th) all enrollments by the district will be invoiced a cost-sharing fee of $123 per course enrollment. Invoices will be emailed to the superintendent, principal, and district clerk on record. Invoices will include a detailed report of the students enrolled, PO number(s), and the enrolling Site Facilitator.
If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop deadline (Fall 2021 – September 28th).
Credit Recovery:
During student enrollment, MTDA will require a PO number to be referenced for each student enrollment. This can be the same or a separate PO number for each enrollment. Upon enrollment, the Site Facilitator will be asked to confirm they have the authorization to complete the enrollment process.
Students have 11 weeks from enrollment to complete the quarter course. Students may be dropped up to one week after enrollment without incurring a fee from MTDA. One week from enrollment, the $61.50 per course enrollment fee will be invoiced. MTDA will be invoicing schools after the drop period has passed.
Invoices will be emailed to the superintendent, principal, and district clerk on record. Invoices will include a detailed report of the students enrolled, PO number(s), and the enrolling Site Facilitator.
If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop period. Students that do not complete the course after 11 weeks from enrollment will be considered to have failed and be dropped from the course.
What are the enrollment periods?
Original Credit:
For Fall 2021, original credit enrollment will open Tuesday, July 20th. The initial course request deadline is Wednesday, September 1st. The late enrollment deadline is September 10, 2021.
Detailed enrollment information is available in our Site Facilitator handbook mtda.link/sfhandbook
Credit Recovery:
For Fall 2021, credit recovery enrollment will open Wednesday, September 1st.
How are drops going to be handled?
MTDA will maintain its standard drop periods.
Original Credit:
For Fall 2021, courses begin the day after Labor Day, September 7th. Students may be dropped from enrollment until September 28th without the district being charged a cost-sharing fee. After the drop deadline has passed (September 28th) all enrollments by the district will be invoiced a cost-sharing fee of $123 per course enrollment.
If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop deadline (Fall 2021 – September 28th).
Credit Recovery:
Students have 11 weeks from enrollment to complete the quarter course. Students may be dropped up to one week after enrollment without incurring a fee from MTDA. One week from enrollment, the $61.50 per course enrollment fee will be invoiced. MTDA will be invoicing schools after the drop period has passed.
If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop period. Students that do not complete the course after 11 weeks from enrollment will be considered to have failed and be dropped from the course.
What is the maximum number of courses a student can be enrolled in?
Students can be enrolled in a maximum of 3 original credit courses per semester. A student can be enrolled in 1 credit recovery course at a time but can be enrolled in additional credit recovery courses throughout the school year.
Will MTDA take enrollments directly from students or parents?
No, MTDA will continue the enrollment through a student’s local public school. Any direct calls MTDA receives from students or parents inquiring about enrollment will be referred back to the student’s local public school. MTDA will continue to honor local school board enrollment policy as it pertains to MTDA supplemental enrollments.
What courses will MTDA be offering for Fall 2021?
Please refer to our course catalog.
What available funds can I use to support my school’s use of MTDA?
ESSER funds can likely help support many implementation scenarios for all of MTDA’s formats, including Original Credit, Credit Recovery, and IPCs. To assist with reporting, contact Jeff Kirksey, OPI ESSER Program Manager, at jeffrey.kirksey@mt.gov
Title IV-A funds (part of the ESEA/ESSA Consolidated Grant application for schools) can likely support many implementation scenarios for all MTDA formats, including Original Credit, Credit Recovery, and IPCs. For assistance and/or more information, contact Tammy Lysons, OPI Title IV A, Student Support & Academic Enrichment Program Manager, at Tamara.Lysons@mt.gov or 406-431-2309.
