The Montana Comprehensive Assessment System (MontCAS) is the suite of statewide assessments aligned with Montana's academic content standards to meet federal testing requirements. 

Montana's Required Statewide Assessments

STC Checklist

System Test Coordinators can check here weekly for an up-to-date list of timely tasks. Click the tab for a list of tasks for each state required assessment. 

Updated: February 18, 2025 ~ note updates for MAST, ACCESS for ELLs, and Montana Science Assessment

►Ensure you enter any testing incidents that occur in your district in the MontCAS Application. 

► STCs remember to collect evidence to support your district testing plans throughout the school year. 

  • Watch Sessions 5 and 6 from the STC Workshop Series for examples and "how-tos" for writing plans.
  • Base plans on the updated plan checklists found on the Test Security page of the OPI Statewide Testing webpages. 

Final week for MAST Window #2 ~ window closes on Friday, February 21, 2025.

► In the Kite Educator Portal, complete these tasks: 

  • Check Enrollment: Keep the district's Student Information System (SIS) up to date. If students transfer out of your district, end-date them in your SIS and leave them unrostered in Kite. 

  • Update Rostering to reflect student mobility in the district. 

  • Update PNPs as needed to reflect changes in student's educational plans. 

► MAST Training Opportunity (Optional): 4:00-5:00 p.m. - March 10, April 7, April 28

  • The OPI is providing additional professional learning sessions supporting the MAST Assessment and information provided through score reports. The sessions are centered around using evidence based high-impact instructional strategies to support MAST and building a community of practice where educators can rely on each other for the support they need related to MAST and learning in general. Use the Zoom Link to join. 

 

► Montana Science Assessment Testing Window Opening Soon! Window opens Monday, March 3, 2025 and runs through Friday, May 23, 2025. 

► STC's log into the Montana Testing Portal and review user list. 

STCs should add users who need to be added, delete users who are no longer in the district or who should no longer have access to student data, and make any needed updates to user roles for current users. 

► Send Parent Notification Letters home to parents/guardians about 2 weeks prior to planned testing. 

Use the OPI's MSA Parent Notification Letter template to notify parents/guardians about upcoming Montana Science Assessment administration in your school. 

► STCs ensure Test Administrators complete the required Test Administration Certification Course. 

All certified staff who will be administering the Montana Science Assessment must complete the Test Administrator Certification Course prior to administering the statewide assessment. 

► Ensure secure browsers have been downloaded on testing devices. 

Use the Installing the Secure Browser document to ensure all student testing devices are prepared for testing. 
 

► CHROME USERS: Update Devices for Spring 2025 testing!

With the upcoming release of ChromeOS Version 133 on the Stable channel in early 2025, a required setting for the secure browser will no longer be enabled by default. Districts/schools MUST utilize one or both of the options shared in the Chrome OS Update Instructions. 

► CHROME USERS: Update Devices for Spring 2025 testing!

With the upcoming release of ChromeOS Version 133 on the Stable channel in early 2025, a required setting for the secure browser will no longer be enabled by default. Districts/schools MUST utilize one or both of the options shared in the Chrome OS Update Instructions. 

► Ensure students are appropriately marked in AIM/Infinite Campus. 

  • Students eligible for the Alternate Montana Science Assessment must be marked as alternate in AIM/Infinite Campus to ensure they are uploaded to the Montana Testing Portal appropriately. 

► Ensure students are appropriately marked in AIM/Infinite Campus. Deadline: February 7

  • Students eligible for the Multi State Alternate Assessment (ELA and mathematics) must be marked as alternate in AIM/Infinite Campus to ensure they are uploaded to the MSAA Portal appropriately. 

► Verify enrollment in Pearson Accessnext (PANext).

  • The final student upload has been completed by the OPI. Schools should log in and ensure the student list in PANext is accurate. If you have students who need added to the portal, reach out to the OPI Assessment Help Desk at 1.844.867.2569 to have students added or removed. Remember not to leave student information such as name, SSID, birthdate, initials, etc. on a voicemail or in an email. 

► Complete Site Readiness and Mock Administration to ensure devices are ready for testing and proctors have the opportunity to review the testing platform. Deadline: February 19 (for schools testing during Window #1).

 

The ACCESS for ELLs testing window closes soon - ensure all testing is completed by Friday, February 21, 2025. 

► Complete administration of the ACCESS for ELLs before the testing window closes. 

► Return ACCESS for ELLs materials as soon as possible after testing or after the window closes.

Use the guidance in the Returning Materials Knowledge Article to ensure materials are returned timely and correctly. 

► Continue screening potential English Learners as they enroll in your district throughout the school year. 

► LTT School Coordinator: Complete Preassessment Tasks 

 

 

 

 
 
 


We are here to help. Contact us:

Assessment Help Desk:  844-867-2569

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Montana State Assessment Results

Montana's 2023-2024 State Assessment results were made available in early September. This 2023-2024 Statewide Assessment Overview presentation gives additional details. 

 

Negotiated Rulemaking on Student Assessment Rules :

OPI is currently in the Negotiated Rulemaking Phase of the Chapter 56 - Student Assessment Rules. To follow along with the process or give public comment, please refer the the agendas and documents below.

 

Assessment Standards Revisions

 

Upcoming Meeting Schedule:

  •  Rulemaking commenced for Chapter 56 NRC on February 12, 2024

 

Previous Meeting Information:

 
 February 12, 2024 - NRC Rulemaking Session #1
 February 6, 2024 - NRC Orientation

Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Members:

  • Michael Grizzaffi - K-12 Educator - Columbus
  • Erin Hunt - K-12 Educator - Helena
  • Beverly Chin - Higher Education Faculty, Taxpayer - Missoula
  • Dana Haring - K-12 Educator -  Kalispell 
  • Justine Alberts - Parent, Higher Education - Helena 
  • Heather Marcella - School Business Manager - Clinton 
  • Brian Kessler - K-12 School Administrator - East Helena 
  • Corey Barron - K-12 School Administrator - Harlem 
  • Jordann Lankford - K-12 Educator, Tribe Representative - Great Falls
  • Leslie DiMaio - K-12 Educator - Columbia Falls 
  • Dr. Julie Murgel - Office of Public Instruction - Helena 
  • Marie Judisch - Office of Public Instruction - Ledger