OPI Assessment Unit MontCAS Focused Support Video Series 

These support videos are short, how-to videos with step-by-step instructions for completing tasks in the various testing portals and applications. Most of the videos are under 10 minutes and provide quick assistance to users. There are a series of videos for each assessment program. Videos span across the before, during, and after testing phases and are updated regularly. 
If you need assistance with a task and are unable to locate it in the video series, reach out to the OPI Assessment Help Desk for assistance. 

 

  • To view MontCAS Focused Support Videos, select the tab for the assessment program below.
  • For information about the STC Workshop or the STC Hub Course, select the Professional Development tab.
  • To view the most recent issues of the OPI Assessment Bulletin, select the OPI Assessment Bulletin tab.

MAST is the general mathematics and reading/language arts assessment for academic state achievement reporting in Grades 3-8. The MAST assessment is aligned to the Montana Content Standards (2011) in Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA). It is used to provide state, district, school, and individual student achievement information on the state-adopted content standards in math and ELA. 

Focused Support Videos

These focused support videos provide the "how-to's" for accessing and navigating the MAST assessment portal(s), and for completing tasks within them.

MAST Scheduler Tool Focused Support Video (about 13 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

MAST User Management Focused Support Video (about 8 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

MAST Student Rostering Focused Support Video (about 7 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

Entering Student PNPs in the Kite Educator Portal (about 10 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

Monitoring MAST Testlet Completion Focused Support Video (about 8 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

Administering MAST Testlets Focused Support Video (about 12 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

Accessing and Utilizing MAST Score Reports Focused Support Video (about 16 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

MAST: Kite Parent Portal Focused Support Video (about 14 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

MAST Training Resources

MAST for Test Coordinators 

PPTX| PDF| Facilitator Guide | Before Testing Tasks

MAST for Educators 

PPTX | PDF | Facilitator Guide | Educator One-Pager

MAST Preparing to Test Session 2 (Oct. 8, 2025)

Recording | Slides

MAST Preparing to Test Session 1 (Oct. 1, 2025)

MAST Fall Summit (Sept. 4, 2025)

MAST 4 Teachers (Aug. 20, 2025)

MAST Scheduler Tool Training (Aug. 4, 2025)

 

 

 

The DLM Alternate ELA and Math Assessments are the required statewide assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities provided in place of the MAST assessments in grades 3-8 and the ACT with Writing test in grade 11. They are designed to measure the alternate academic achievement standards aligned to Montana's Content Standards (2011) in ELA and math.

The DLM Alternate Science Assessment is the alternate science assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities provided in place of the general Montana Science Assessment in Grades 5 and 8, and the ACT with Writing test in Grade 11. The DLM Alternate Science Assessment is designed to measure the alternate academic achievement standards aligned to Montana's Content Standards (2016) in Science. 

These assessments are used to provide state, district, school, and individual student achievement information on the state-adopted content standards in ELA, math, and science.

DLM Alternate Science Focused Support Videos

These focused support videos provide the "how-to's" for accessing and navigating the DLM Alternate Science Assessment portal, and for completing tasks within it. They can also be found on the Montana State Page for DLM Alternate Assessments. 

► Review the following Focused Support Videos for Topics on Getting Started in the Educator Portal: 

 

DLM Alternate ELA/math Focused Support Videos

These focused support videos provide the "how-to's" for accessing and navigating the DLM Alternate ELA/math Assessment portal, and for completing tasks within it. They can also be found on the Montana State Page for DLM Alternate Assessments.

► Review the following Focused Support Videos for Topics on Getting Started in the Educator Portal: 

 

The Montana Science Assessment (MSA) is the general science assessment for academic state achievement reporting in Grades 5 and 8. The MSA is aligned to the Montana Content Standards (2016) in Science. It is used to provide state, district, school, and individual student achievement information on the state-adopted content standards in science.

Montana Science Assessment Focused Support Videos

These focused support videos provide the "how-to's" for accessing and navigating the Montana Science Assessment (MSA) portal(s), and for completing tasks within them.

MSA Score Report Access (about 5 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

MSA: Monitoring Test Completion (about 4 minutes) - VIDEO

 

The ACCESS for ELLs is the English Language Proficiency assessment for academic achievement reporting for English Learners (ELs) in Grades K-12. The ACCESS for ELLs is used to provide state, district, school, and individual student achievement information on the state-adopted content standards in English Proficiency.

The WIDA Screener is used to assist schools in identifying English Learners. 

ACCESS for ELLs Focused Support Videos

These focused support videos provide the "how-to's" for accessing and navigating the WIDA and DRC portal(s), and for completing tasks around the ACCESS for ELLs within them.

WIDA Screener Focused Support Videos

 

The ACT with Writing is the general mathematics, reading/language arts, and science assessment for academic state achievement reporting in Grade 11. The ACT with Writing is aligned to the Montana Content Standards (2011) in Math and English language arts (ELA) and currently under alignment studies to the Montana Content Standards (2016) in Science. It is used to provide state, district, school, and individual student achievement information on the state-adopted content standards in mathematics, ELA, and science.

ACT with Writing Focused Support Videos

These focused support videos provide the "how-to's" for accessing and navigating the ACT with Writing portals, and for completing tasks within them.

ACT with Writing Score Report Access (about 3 minutes)  - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

ACT Select Test Date in Pearson Access Next (about 4 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

NAEP is a congressionally mandated project overseen by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to monitor knowledge, skill, and performance of the nation's children and youth over time. NAEP measures and reports on a regular basis what America's students know and can do in core subjects like reading, mathematics, writing, and science.

NAEP Focused Support Videos

These focused support videos provide the "how-to's" for completing the NAEP assessment tasks.

Tasks 1 & 2: AMS Registration & Provide School Characteristics Focused Support Video (about 4 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

Task 3: Submit Student List Focused Support Video (about 3 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

Task 4: Scheduling Assessment Planning Meeting Focused Support Video (about 3 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

Task 5: Providing Student Information Focused Support Video (about 8 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

Task 6: Assessment Logistics Focused Support Video (about 3 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

Task 8: Notify Parents & Guardians Focused Support Video (about 3 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

Task 10: Support Assessment Activities Focused Support Video (about 2 minutes) - VIDEO - Presentation Slides

Test security guidelines have been developed by the OPI to be used by STCs and other school and district staff in order to maintain the integrity of all MontCAS assessments. Following these guidelines will ensure no student has access to any form of assistance or material that could provide an unfair advantage. The primary goal of test security is to protect the integrity of the assessment and to ensure that results are accurate and meaningful.

MontCAS Application Focused Support Videos

These focused support videos provide STCs with the "how-to's" for accessing the MontCAS Application, and for completing required test security tasks within the application. 

Stay up-to-date with timely tasks for all statewide assessments through the school year.

The OPI Assessment Bulletin is specifically designed for System Test Coordinators (STCs), subscribers, and any school personnel with a responsibility to administer statewide assessments. It is carefully crafted each month by the OPI Assessment Unit to provide timely access to key test administration responsibilities and actionable content within each of the program checklists. Also included in each issue are references to the state and federal requirements, resources to support professional learning, testing alerts and updates, and frequently asked questions. School districts are encouraged to share the Assessment Bulletin with any school staff who must be aware of these tasks and responsibilities in order to prepare for statewide assessments. The newsletter is distributed via the OPI Compass , and in addition to being posted on this page, also populates under the RSS Feed heading on the OPI's State Testing homepage.

Fall 2025 MAST Trainings and Professional Learning

Join us to learn more about preparing to administer the MAST assessments. 

Preparing to test webinars are scheduled for October 1, October 8, and October 15 from 3:30-4:30 PM. No registration required, simply join the session with the meeting link. 

Professional Learning opportunities will be held from 3:30-4:30 PM. No registration required, simply join the session with the meeting link. 

Wednesday, October 23: Score reports
Wednesday, November 5: Math Misconceptions
Wednesday, November 12: ELA Performance Task

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. 

Local Assessment Review: Understanding your local assessment system and MAST's place in it

Developed by the National Center for Assessment in collaboration with the OPI and piloted by Montana school districts, this comprehensive module is designed to guide educators through the review of school, district, and state-level assessments. It introduces the foundational concepts of local assessment systems and outlines a structured, multi-step review process. With a focus on thorough evaluation, the module includes facilitator slides, assessment review templates, inventory spreadsheets, and additional support materials. This resource is essential for those aiming to enhance the effectiveness of their educational assessments. 

Teacher Learning Hub STC Course

The System Test Coordinator Hub Course is available on the Teacher Learning Hub.

The primary purpose of the OPI Teacher Learning Hub has been to address the challenges of cost, distance, time, and equity of access to high-quality professional development for Montana educators. Explore professional learning for statewide assessments offered on the Hub via the Course List, Course Catalog, and/or using the "Search Courses" feature. 

Teacher Learning Hub