Archives West Finding Aid

The 1889 Constitution established the State Board of Education as the governing body for all state educational institutions, including the state university. However, the Board was not functional until 1893, when the Legislative Assembly set its official powers and duties. The Board was composed of eleven members, including the Governor, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Attorney General, and had control and supervision over the University of Montana, Montana State Normal College, Agricultural College of Montana, state orphan's home, Montana state school of Mines, school for the deaf and blind, and the state reform school. The duties of the Board consisted of creating rules and regulations for the government of state educational institutions, granting diplomas to graduates of those institutions, issuing state and life diplomas or certification, accrediting private and public high schools, and administering funds from the State Board of Land Commissioners or other sources. In 1959 the duties of the Board were expanded to include serving as the ex-officio board of regents of the University of Montana. In 1923 the Legislative Assembly created the State Board of Educational Examiners, which was to be composed of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, one member from the faculty of one of the component institutions of the University of Montana, one county superintendent of schools, one high school principal, and one district superintendent. The duties of this board consisted of providing rules and regulations for the issuance of all teachers' certificates. These rules were subject to the approval of the State Board of Education. The board was disbanded in 1949 and their duties returned to the State Board of Education.