Announcement: Progress Reports were released January 15th for Window 1. 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

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.
  • Monday, February 2: DLM ELA/math and DLM Science  testing windows open (close May 15)
  • Monday, February 2: Initial Montana Science Assessment student upload. 
  • Wednesday, February 4: Final ACT with Writing student upload. 
  • Friday, February 13: Final WIDA ACCESS student upload.
  • Friday, February 20: Weekly student uploads begin for Montana Science Assessment

Click for a List of Upcoming STC Deadlines

View the upcoming deadlines for System Test Coordinator (STC) tasks for all statewide assessments. 
  • February 9: Deadline to ensure EL student data is correct in Infinite Campus for the final February 13 WIDA ACCESS student upload. 
  • Wednesday, February 11: Deadline to submit requests for ACT accommodations and EL Supports for schools testing in Window 1. 
  • Friday, February 20: Deadline to request non-routine accommodations for MAST and WIDA ACCESS assessments. 

 

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: February 2, 2026 ~ see updates for MSA, DLM ELA/math, and DLM Science. 

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. See the MontCAS Test Security Collection Schedule for the submission window deadlines for each testing window. 

►  Report testing incidents in the MontCAS Application as they occur throughout the school year. The MontCAS Application User Guide has step-by-step instructions for entering incidents. 

►  Request non-routine accommodations for all statewide assessments in the MontCAS Application at least 2 weeks prior to planned testing. The MontCAS Application User Guide has step-by-step instructions for requesting non-routine accommodations. 

►  Bookmark the MontCAS Test Security Collection Schedule for 2025-2026. This schedule includes all tasks with deadlines for all statewide assessments. 

MAST Assessment

Window 2 is open through March 6. Ensure eligible students in Grades 3 through 8 are administered testlets. 

► 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.

► Share 2024-2025 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 Focused Support Video "Accessing and Utilizing MAST Score Reports" (about 16 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

DLM Alternate ELA/math

The Spring Testing Window is open through May 15. 

► Ensure all alternate students in Grades 3-8 and 11 are administered the required testlets in ELA and math. 

► Ensure IEP/504 Plans for alternate students are updated with new assessment names. 

► Create and maintain user accounts. 

  • Authorized Representatives and STCs have been given district level access in the Kite Educator Portal and are responsible for creating and maintaining user accounts.

► Assign required training to all staff who will be administering the alternate assessments. 
 
 

DLM Alternate Science

The Spring Testing Window is open through May 15. 

► Ensure all alternate students in Grades 5, 8, and 11 are administered the required testlets in science. 

► Ensure IEP/504 Plans for alternate students are updated with new assessment names. 

► 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

Montana Science Assessment

Montana Science Assessment testing window opens March 2, 2026. 

► Students will be uploaded to the Montana Testing Portal this week.

ACT with Writing

► Review the Flexible Scheduling Policy to learn more about the new option for 2 Day Testing. 

► Request Accommodations and English Learner Supports in TAA for testing in all windows. Deadlines for submitting the requests: 

  • Window 1 deadline: February 11, 2026
  • Window 2 deadline: February 25, 2026
  • Window 3 deadline: March 11, 2026
► Students have been uploaded to PANext. Users can verify student lists. A second upload will occur in early February. 

WIDA ACCESS / WIDA Screener

*The WIDA ACCESS testing window is open through March 6, 2026. Ensure all EL students complete WIDA ACCESS testing.

► Call the OPI Assessment Team to have newly identified students added to the WIDA AMS portal for testing if they are not already present in the portal (844-867-2569).

► Plan training for TAs. Training courses have been updated for WIDA ACCESS, Kindergarten ACCESS, and WIDA Screener. 

  • These courses are required for the 2025-2026 school year regardless of past training. 

► 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)

Schools selected to participate in NAEP 2026 have been notified. 

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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Assessment Help Desk:  844-867-2569


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