Frontier Institute Statement In Support Of HB 252

The STARS Act will hold public schools accountable for results

HELENA – Today, the Frontier Institute offered support for HB 252, the Student and Teacher Advancement for Results and Success Act (STARS), a bill that follows Frontier Institute’s recommendations to promote additional freedom and accountability for budget decisions within the public school system.

“The STARS Act will incentivize Montana’s public education system to focus resources on what matters: providing high quality instruction to students,” said Kendall Cotton, President & CEO for Frontier Institute. “Increased public education funding over the years has not translated into better academic outcomes for Montana students. We think the STARS Act is a better funding design that will hold schools who receive additional funding accountable for working to improve student outcomes and not just maintaining the status quo.”

HB 252 expands on 2023’s TEACH Act, offering increased funding to school districts who hit metrics for raising starting teacher pay, adopting programs to help students earn postsecondary credits or career-technical credentials, offering housing to teachers, among other incentives. 

Frontier Institute has previously called for additional accountability for public school performance, especially as it relates to funding increases.

A 2024 Frontier Institute report found that from 2017 to 2023, the percentage of Montana public school spending going towards instruction decreased by 6.1%, while the percentage spent on facilities increased by 58.9% and administration increased 4.7%: