Dark sky ordinances paying off

Montana’s dark skies are becoming quite a drawing card for visitors who want see the stars.

Astrotourism, as it’s called, is a growing segment of the Big Sky state’s visitor economy these days. Perhaps our new moniker should be as we suggested in a Sunday Inter Lake headline: “Big Star state.”

As unpolluted night skies grow more elusive in other parts of the country and especially in urban areas, Montana still boasts some of the darkest and clearest nights. And the word is out.

The Big Sky Astronomy Club in Flathead County said when it launched its star parties 18 years ago at the top of Lone Pine State Park, the events typically drew a handful of club members and a few other participants. The club eventually expanded to places like Logan Pass in Glacier Park, where one of the most recent star parties drew over 700 participants.

We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the work done by the cities of Whitefish and Kalispell years ago to pass dark sky ordinances, and local dark-sky advocates that have worked to educate people about light pollution. Keeping us in the dark, so to speak, is paying off.

Kalispell students are ahead of state averages when it comes to proficiency in math, but school administrators still see room for improvement.

Results from the recent Smarter Balanced Assessment show that about half of Kalispell students in third through eighth grades are considered to be proficient in math. While this exceeds state averages, assistant superintendent Callie Langohr insists the district can do better.

“And we’re doing that by an integrated approach,” she said.

Two years ago the district launched a five-year plan to improve math scores through consistent and mindful instructional strategies. Part of that plan includes the introduction of new math curriculum for elementary students beginning in kindergarten, and expanding professional development for teachers. Langohr is “very optimistic” that this approach will ultimately raise test scores across the board.

Kudos to our school administrators for taking steps to build a stronger foundation in math — and more importantly, for always aiming higher. Our students, and community, deserve nothing less.