Announcement: Progress Reports were released April 2nd for Window 2 on the KITE Educator Platform. Please review interpretive guides linked below to understand the data and information presented in these reports. Reminder, all documentation around the MAST assessment can be found on the MAST portal. Please connect with the Assessment team should you have any specific questions or require support to clarify your understanding.

Student | Classroom | School | District | Overview

Understanding Progress Reports VIDEO and SLIDES

MAST Portal

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

Click for a List of Upcoming Events & Important Dates

Follow links to register, join, or learn more about upcoming statewide assessment related events.
  • Friday, May 22: MAST Window 3 and Montana Science Assessment testing windows close. 
  • June 16-19: Summer Institute, Bozeman: Several sessions around MAST Assessments and score data will be offered during the 2026 Summer Institute. 

Click for a List of Upcoming STC Deadlines

View the upcoming deadlines for System Test Coordinator (STC) tasks for all statewide assessments. 
  • Friday, June 5: Deadline for STCs to request medical exemptions and report testing incidents for MSA, DLM ELA/math Spring Window, DLM Science, and MAST Window 3 in the MontCAS Application.

 

Quick Links

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: May 18, 2026

Required Statewide Assessments

The primary purpose of assessment in Montana is to serve learning. Statewide assessments provide insight into student learning in core subjects and English language proficiency while fulfilling state and federal requirements.

Required for All Statewide Assessments

►  Report instances of non-participation in the MontCAS Application after each testing window closes. 
►  Report testing incidents in the MontCAS Application as they occur throughout the school year. 
►  Request non-routine accommodations for all statewide assessments in the MontCAS Application at least 2 weeks prior to planned testing. 
►  Bookmark the MontCAS Test Security Collection Schedule for 2025-2026. 
  • This schedule includes all tasks with deadlines for all statewide assessments. 

MAST Assessment

Window 3 closes this Friday, May 22nd. Ensure all eligible students in Grades 3-8 are assessed.

Prepare for Window 3 testing. 
► Create and maintain user accounts. 
► Prepare student testing devices. 
► Roster students.
  • All students should be rostered to a teacher for both math and ELA.
► Enter student PNPs.

DLM Alternate ELA/math

The Spring Testing Window is now closed.

► Requests for non-participation must be entered into the MontCAS Application by Friday, May 22, 2026. 
► Ensure all testing incidents have been reported in the MontCAS Application by Friday, June 6, 2026.
 
 
 

DLM Alternate Science

The Testing Window is now closed.

► Requests for non-participation must be entered into the MontCAS Application by Friday, May 22, 2026. 
► Ensure all testing incidents have been reported in the MontCAS Application by Friday, June 6, 2026
 

Montana Science Assessment

The Montana Science Assessment testing window closes this Friday, May 22, 2026. 

► Ensure eligible students in Grades 5 and 8 are tested.
► Ensure user accounts are reviewed in the Montana Testing Portal. 
  • Test Administrators must complete the Test Administrator Certification course before administering the Montana Science Assessment. 
► Review updates to the Montana Testing Portal. 
► Send the Parent Notification Letter to parents/guardians about 2 weeks before testing. 

ACT with Writing

ACT with Writing testing windows are closed.

► Electronic Individual Student Reports are available in the ACT Success site 2 to 8 weeks after testing. 
► Ensure all testing incidents have been reported in the MontCAS Application by Friday, June 6, 2026.

WIDA ACCESS / WIDA Screener

The WIDA ACCESS testing window is closed.

► Individual Score Reports are available in the WIDA AMS on Tuesday, April 28. Printed reports will arrive in districts by May 11. 
  • Place a copy of the ISR in student cumulative files and share with parents alongside the WIDA Score Report letter. 
  • Review score reports and exit eligible students. Students who have obtained an Overall Composite Score of 4.7 or higher should be 'exited' from EL status in Infinite Campus. 
► Throughout the school year, continue to screen newly enrolled students for whom the Home Language Survey indicates screening. 
  • Mark EL students appropriately in Infinite Campus to ensure they are uploaded to the WIDA AMS.

NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)

NAEP 2026 has concluded. 

Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year Assessment (MAST) - ELA and mathematics assessment administered to Grades 3 through 8.

Montana Science Assessment (MSA) - Science assessment administered to Grades 5 and 8.

ACT with Writing (ACT) - ELA, mathematics, and science assessment administered to Grade 11 (high-school requirement).

DLM Alternate ELA/Math Assessments (DLM ELA/math) - ELA and mathematics assessments administered to Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (SwSCD) in Grades 3 through 8 and 11.

DLM Alternate Science Assessment (DLM Science)- Science assessment administered to Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (SwSCD) in Grades 5, 8, and 11.

WIDA ACCESS - English Language Proficiency assessment for English Learners (EL) administered to ELs in Grades K through 12. 

Alternate ACCESS Assessment (Alt ACCESS)- English Language Proficiency assessment for English Learners (EL) administered to ELs with significant cognitive disabilities in Grades K through 12.

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) - Also known as the Nation's Report Card, NAEP is administered only in selected schools to students in mathematics and reading in Grades 4, 8, and 12.

 

 
 
 


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