Montana Quality Education Coalition Information

The MQEC is committed to working with policy makers, educators, parents and everyone interested in quality education in Montana, to meaningfully address how we can meet our Constitutional obligation to Montana's children, State support of K-12 public education, in terms of its share of funding, has declined by over 15 percent in the last decade, causing the closure of schools, growth in class sizes and reeducation in programs in school districts throughout Montana. In addition, as a result of reduced state support, Montana has become less competitive with other states in terms of teacher recruitment and retention. While we respect and work closely with the legislature and the executive branch to implement legislative remedies that meet our constitutional requirement, we believe seeking a judicial remedy in parallel with these efforts is the responsible way to make sure we find a solution to this issue at the earliest possible time. Stated most simply, MQEC's mission is to assure that the State of Montana fulfills the promises and guarantees that are set forth in Article X, Section 1 of the Montana Constitution. That section provides:Section 1.Educational goals and duties. (1) It is the goal of the people to establish a system of education which will develop the full educational potential of each person. Equality of educational opportunity is guaranteed to each person of the state. (2) The state recognizes the distinct and unique cultural heritage of the American Indians and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity. (3) The legislature shall provide a basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools. The legislature may provide such other educational institutions, public libraries, and educational programs as it deems desireable. It shall fund and distribute in an equitable manner to the school districts the state's share of the cost of the basic elementary and secondary school system. MQEC believes that under our Constitution, public education is the State of Montana's highest priority. It is the key to our State's economic, cultural, and social future. Our mission is to do everything possible to achieve and maintain the promises and guarantees set forth in the Montana Constitution.