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

2024-2025 Student Upload Schedule - this calendar view shows the student upload schedule for all of Montana's 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. 

Special August Bulletin: 2024-2025 Statewide Assessment Overview

Updated: October 22, 2024 - note deadlines for Priority Tasks, MAST, and NAEP.

►Write your district testing plans for the 2024-2025 school year. Deadline: October 10, 2024 (extended deadline: October 31, 2024)

  • 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. 

►STCs must complete BOTH required test security screens within the MontCAS Application prior to statewide assessments being administered in the district. Deadline: October 10, 2024 (extended deadline for Required Records Tracking: October 31, 2024).

►STCs: Register for the 2024-2025 STC Workshop Series to be held October 3, October 10, and October 24, 2024. 

► MAST Window #1 is now open! October 14 through November 22, 2024

► Ensure the below items are completed prior to administration of MAST testlets.

  • Prepare student testing devices for testing. Use this Install Guide for assistance.
  • Roster students for testing. This short focused support video guides users through the steps to roster students. 
  • Enter student PNPs in preparation for testing. Steps for entering PNPs are provided in this focused support video. 

► MAST Training Opportunity (Optional): 4:00-5:00 p.m. October 28, November 18, January 6, January 27, 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. 

 

► Send Individual Score Reports home to parents/guardians. 

  • Attach the ESSA required information about how to read the reports. 
  • A score report letter template for the MSA is available on the Parent Corner page of the OPI website. 
  • This 5 minute video walks users through accessing and downloading Individual Student Reports to send home to parents

► Montana Science Assessment Interims are now live in the Montana Testing Portal. 

► 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. 

► Send Individual Score Reports home to parents/guardians. 

  • Attach the ESSA required information about how to read the reports. 
  • A score report letter template for the AMSA is available on the Parent Corner page of the OPI website. 
  • This 5 minute video walks users through accessing and downloading Individual Student Reports to send home to parents

► Send Individual Score Reports home to parents/guardians. 

  • Attach the ESSA required information about how to read the reports. 
  • A score report letter template for the MSAA is available on the Parent Corner page of the OPI website. 
  • If your district did not get individual score reports downloaded prior to the September 6 deadline, reach out to the OPI Assessment Team at opiassessmenthelpdesk@mt.gov. 

► Send Individual Score Reports (ISRs) home to parents/guardians. 

  • Attach the ESSA required information about how to read the reports. 
  • A score report letter template for the ACT with Writing is available on the Parent Corner page of the OPI website. 
  • This 3 minute video walks users through how to download ISRs from the ACT Success site. 

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

  • EL students must be marked as EL in AIM/Infinite Campus to be included in the student upload to the WIDA AMS for test administration.

► Ensure all staff assigned to administer the ACCESS for ELLs have completed required training.

  • Test Administrators must complete required training prior to test administration. 
  • Training modules are accessible on the WIDA Secure Portal.  

► Send Individual Score Reports home to parents/guardians. 

  • Attach the ESSA required information about how to read the reports. 
  • A score report letter template for the ACCESS for ELLs is available on the Parent Corner page of the OPI website. 
  • This 4 minute video walks users through how to download ISRs from the WIDA AMS site. 

► Send Individual Score Reports home to parents/guardians. 

  • Attach the ESSA required information about how to read the reports. 
  • A score report letter template for the Smarter Balanced Assessment is available on the Parent Corner page of the OPI website.
  • This 5 minute video walks users through the steps to access and download Individual Student Reports to send home to parents: VIDEO - Presentation Slides

► 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