Help Shape Montana's Assessments

OPI is seeking passionate educators and stakeholders to join the Assessment Implementation Committee (AIC) and help guide the second year of the Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST) assessment.

The committee will meet monthly for 1 hour starting in September 2025 through the school year.We’re looking for a diverse group with a range of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives.

Apply now to be part of this important work!

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. 

  • Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST) Assessment - 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.
  • MSAA and AMSA - The MSAA and AMSA will no longer serve as Montana's alternate assessments. As of the 2025-2026 school year, they are being replaced by DLM alternate 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: June 30, 2025

►Save the Date! The 2025 STC Workshop is planned for September 11, September 18, and September 25. Watch for details here, and on the Stay Informed page of the website.

► STCs create district testing plans for the 2025-2026 school year. 

  • Watch Sessions 5 and 6 from the 2024 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. 
  • Ensure 2024-2025 school year testing plans and accompanying evidence are saved for a minimum of three years. 

► Share Student Score Reports with Parents/Guardians. 

  • Districts can download and customize this OPI Score Report Letter template to include alongside the score report to meet ESSA requirements for notifying parents of student scores.

 
 

► Watch the recorded webinar for an introduction to DLM Assessments. Share with staff in your district who may benefit, such as Special Education partners. 

Introduction to DLM Assessment Webinar Recording

View the recorded webinar on the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) alternate assessment, which will become the statewide assessment for alternate science, math, and ELA beginning in fall 2025.This webinar was held on June 10, 2025 and includes an overview of the DLM model, provides key resources to help you prepare ahead of fall training, and incorporates questions from attendees. 

 

► Watch the recorded webinar for an introduction to DLM Assessments. Share with staff in your district who may benefit, such as Special Education partners. 

Introduction to DLM Assessment Webinar Recording

View the recorded webinar on the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) alternate assessment, which will become the statewide assessment for alternate science, math, and ELA beginning in fall 2025.This webinar was held on June 10, 2025 and includes an overview of the DLM model, provides key resources to help you prepare ahead of fall training, and incorporates questions from attendees. 

 

► Share Student Score Reports with Parents/Guardians. 

  • Districts can download and customize this OPI Score Report Letter template to include alongside the score report to meet ESSA requirements for notifying parents of student scores.

► Share Student Score Reports with Parents/Guardians. 

  • Districts can download and customize this OPI Score Report Letter template to include alongside the score report to meet ESSA requirements for notifying parents of student scores. Note that while ACT does send a copy of the student reports to students, it is the responsibility of the district to send a copy to families and include the information about how to read and use the reports. 

► Share Individual Student Reports (ISRs) with parents/guardians.  Paper ISRs have been delivered to districts. Digital versions can be accessed in WIDA AMS. 

  • View this Focused Support Video for instructions to view and download the digital score reports. 
  • This OPI Parent Letter can be used to meet state and federal requirements for timely notification. 

► Review score reports to exit eligible students. Students who have obtained an Overall Composite Score of 4.7 or higher should be exited from EL status in AIM/Infinite Campus.

NAEP 2025 is Complete

► Thank you to the schools who participated. 

► Mark your calendar to download and save MSAA Individual Score Reports (ISRs) from the MSAA System. 

  • ISRs will be available between July 14 and September 5, 2025. 

The Multi State Alternate Assessment will no longer be administered to Montana students with significant cognitive disabilities in Grades 5, 8 and 11 as of the 2025-2026 school year. The required Alternate ELA and math content area will be assessed with the Dynamic Learning Map (DLM).

Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, the Dynamic Learning Map (DLM) will replace the Multi State Alternate Assessment (MSAA). All alternate assessments will now be administered on the Kite platform to align with the administration of MAST.  

The DLM math and ELA assessments will follow an instructionally embedded model, with multiple testlets administered during both fall and spring testing windows. 

Stay up to date by visiting the OPI Assessment Stay Informed page for announcements, including an upcoming June webinar and the release of the 2025–2026 DLM testing windows. Additional training will be provided this fall, including sessions during the STC Workshop Series in September. 

For more information, visit the DLM Assessment Website and explore the Montana-specific DLM Informational Overview. 

► Share Student Score Reports with Parents/Guardians. 

  • Districts can download and customize this OPI Score Report Letter template to include alongside the score report to meet ESSA requirements for notifying parents of student scores.

The Alternate Montana Science Assessment will no longer be administered to Montana students with significant cognitive disabilities in Grades 5, 8 and 11 as of the 2025-2026 school year. The required Alternate science content area will be assessed with the Dynamic Learning Map (DLM).
 

Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, the Dynamic Learning Map (DLM) will replace the Alternate Montana Science Assessment (AMSA). All alternate assessments will now be administered on the Kite platform to align with the administration of MAST.  

The DLM science assessments will consist of multiple testlets but will be administered only during the spring window. 

Stay up to date by visiting the OPI Assessment Stay Informed page for announcements, including an upcoming June webinar and the release of the 2025–2026 DLM testing windows. Additional training will be provided this fall, including sessions during the STC Workshop Series in September. 

For more information, visit the DLM Assessment Website and explore the Montana-specific DLM Informational Overview. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montana State Assessment Results

Montana's 2024-2025 State Assessment results will be made available in early September. 

 

 
 
 


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Assessment Help Desk:  844-867-2569

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