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 are listed below. 

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: April 30, 2025 - Note new information under MSAA, AMSA, MAST, and ACT with Writing. 

►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. 

MAST Window #3 closes this Friday, May 2, 2025. 

► Ensure all students in Grades 3 through 8 are testing within this window. Prior to administering the assessment, in the Kite Educator Portal, perform these tasks: 

  • Update Rostering to reflect any student mobility in the district. Leave students who have transferred out of your district, but sill appearing in the Kite Portal as un-rostered.

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

The Montana Science Assessment Testing Window is Open. Ensure all Grade 5 and 8 students test between now and Friday, May 23, 2025. 

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

  • 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. 

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

► Ensure secure browsers have been downloaded on testing devices. 

► 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. 

The Alternate Montana Science Assessment Testing Window is Closed.

► STCs enter all testing incidents that may have occurred during alternate testing in the MontCAS Application. Deadline: May 9, 2025.

►STCs enter all instances of valid non-participation in the MontCAS Application. Deadline: May 9, 2025.

 

 

 

The Multi State Alternate Assessment Testing Window is Closed.

► STCs enter all testing incidents that may have occurred during alternate testing in the MontCAS Application. Deadline: May 9, 2025.

►STCs enter all instances of valid non-participation in the MontCAS Application. Deadline: May 9, 2025.

The final testing window for the ACT with Writing closes this Friday, May 2, 2025.

For Schools Testing in Window 3 (April 22-May 2)

► Complete Site Readiness and Mock Administration to ensure devices are ready for testing and proctors have the opportunity to review the testing platform. 
► Validate configuration and freeze test environment for online testing. 
► Train room supervisors and proctors (see this Training Outline for details).
 
► Create and assign students to test sessions for online testing. 
 
► Have students set up MyACT account and complete non-test instructions. 
 

The ACCESS for ELLs testing window is now closed!

► Return ACCESS for ELLs materials as soon as possible.

► 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