MSAA Alternate Website This is the website where all MSAA testing activities are completed including launching and administering tests.
Test Administration Resources
MSAA Test Administration Manual (includes accommodations information)
MSAA Sample Items Sample items can be accessed and used throughout the year to help prepare your students for the MSAA test. The sample items also provide an opportunity for educators to become familiar with the test format and items. Sample items can be shared with parents to help in building understanding of what statewide assessment looks like for their child.
Participation Criteria Resources
Alternate Assessment Participation Criteria Worksheet for IEP Teams
Alternate Assessment Eligibility Guidelines These policies were published in 2021-2022 school year to support school districts with the training and technical assistance needs prior to implementation on August 1, 2022. The new eligibility guidelines explain the OPI’s policies and procedures for assessing students with significant cognitive disabilities (SwSCDs) using Montana's Alternate Assessments and are designed to assist IEP Teams in decision-making around participation needs for the alternate summative state assessments.
Appendix A - Participation Form. The four questions are the same in the AIM Statewide IEP Editor. The requirement for these data is to have school districts is to electronically complete these steps in AIM/Infinite Campus. The new PDF form is used by the IEP team to document the conversations, evidence, and decisions when determining whether a student should participate in Alternate and can assist conversations locally but is not required to submit to the OPI.
Appendix B - Decision Flowchart. The Decision Flowchart is designed to guide the sequence of decisions to be made by IEP teams when determining whether a student should participate in Montana’s Alternate Assessments.
Learner Characteristic Inventory (LCI) for Alternate Assessments - survey questions collected in the MSAA Assessment. The survey provides the OPI and school districts with a general picture of the characteristics for most student with significant cognitive disabilities (SwSCDs) in the state of Montana.
Assessing Writing
Writing Prompt Best Practice Videos: These videos provide an opportunity for educators to view how writing items are administered on the MSAA test.
Writing Rubrics: These are examples of writing rubrics that might be used in instruction
The Montana Science Assessment (MSA) Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines (UAAG) is published on the Testing Portal.
The Alternate Montana Science Assessment (AMSA) Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines (UAAG) is published on the Testing Portal.
Alternate Assessment Eligibility Guidelines These policies were published in 2021-2022 school year to support school districts with the training and technical assistance needs prior to implementation on August 1, 2022. The new eligibility guidelines explain the OPI’s policies and procedures for assessing students with significant cognitive disabilities (SwSCDs) using Montana's Alternate Assessments and are designed to assist IEP Teams in decision-making around participation needs for the alternate summative state assessments.
Appendix A - Participation Form. The four questions are the same in the AIM Statewide IEP Editor. The requirement for these data is to have school districts is to electronically complete these steps in AIM/Infinite Campus. The new PDF form is used by the IEP team to document the conversations, evidence, and decisions when determining whether a student should participate in Alternate and can assist conversations locally but is not required to submit to the OPI.
Appendix B - Decision Flowchart. The Decision Flowchart is designed to guide the sequence of decisions to be made by IEP teams when determining whether a student should participate in Montana’s Alternate Assessments.
Learner Characteristic Inventory (LCI) for Alternate Assessments - survey questions collected in the MSAA Assessment. The survey provides the OPI and school districts with a general picture of the characteristics for most student with significant cognitive disabilities (SwSCDs) in the state of Montana.
Alternate Eligibility Criteria - This document assists STCs and educators in making decisions about student participation in the alternate ACCESS for ELLs assessment.