The Importance of a Continued, Unified Voice of Support for Quality Education in Montana’s K-12 Public Schools…

The Montana Quality Education Coalition (MQEC) has fought for the interests of children in Montana’s public schools since its inception in 2001. The importance of MQEC’s continued existence today and into the future cannot be overstated. Although other key groups such as MTSBA, MFPE, SAM, MREA, and MASBO (which are all members of MQEC) do a great job of public-school advocacy in their own right, MQEC serves as the needed interagency support conduit that has the ability to help Montana students by taking stands on behalf of Montana public schools that cannot be taken as effectively by each group alone. MQEC has historically been the “tip of the spear” in accepting the responsibility for protecting the language contained in Article X of the Montana Constitution. That effort has made and continues to make a positive difference in funding Montana’s public schools. There is no dispute that MQEC has been the vehicle to effectively focus legislative and, if necessary, judicial attention on the state’s obligation to provide adequate financial resources to support quality education opportunities for Montana’s public-school students whether that be before the Montana Legislature, the Montana Court system, or through engagement with the public.

In conclusion, MQEC is the “Constitutional Guardian” of Article X of the Montana State Constitution, working for public school students and their communities. We advocate for, pursue, and defend the need for adequate and equitable funding to provide quality education for each of Montana’s public-school students. Please join the 100 Montana school districts, individuals, and statewide education organizations that are already members for 2023-2024.

Dr. Douglas Reisig, Executive Director
Montana Quality Education Coalition (MQEC)
P.O. Box 17311
Missoula, Montana 59808
dreisig@mqec.org
(406) 544-4335