Stay Informed

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.

Test Administrator, Educator, and Family Resources can be found on the MAST Portal as well.

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 Scheduling

Scheduler Tool Focused Support Video (about 13 minutes) – Video – Presentation Slides

Preparing for MAST Administration
MAST Administration
MAST Score Reports

MAST Training Resources

2025–2026 MAST Trainings and Professional Learning Opportunities
Dates, Link to Join, & Recordings
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 3 (Oct. 15, 2025)

Recording | Slides

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

Recording | Slides

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

Recording | Slides

MAST Fall Summit (Sept. 4, 2025)

Recordings

MAST 4 Teachers (Aug. 20, 2025)

Recording | Slide Deck | Notetaking Tool

MAST Scheduler Tool Training (Aug. 4, 2025)

Recording

The DLM Alternate ELA and Math Assessments are the required statewide assessments 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 alternate academic achievement standards aligned to Montana’s Content Standards (2011) in ELA and math.

The DLM Alternate Science Assessment is the required statewide 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. It is designed to measure 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

ACCESS for ELLs is the English language proficiency assessment for academic achievement reporting for English Learners (ELs) in Grades K–12. It is used to provide state, district, school, and individual student achievement information on the state‑adopted English language proficiency standards.

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 portals, and for completing tasks related to ACCESS for ELLs within them.

WIDA Screener Focused Support Videos

Nothing here at this time.

ACT with Writing is the general mathematics, reading/language arts, and science assessment for academic state achievement reporting in Grade 11. It is aligned to the Montana Content Standards (2011) in mathematics and English language arts (ELA) and is currently undergoing 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 the knowledge, skills, 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 such as reading, mathematics, writing, and science.

NAEP Focused Support Videos

These focused support videos provide the “how‑to’s” for completing NAEP assessment tasks.

Task 1: AMS Registration – Video – Step-by-Step Guide

Task 2: Provide School Information (about 3 minutes) – Video – Presentation Slides

Task 3: Schedule APM (about 5 minutes) – Video – Presentation Slides

Task 4: Provide Student Information (about 3 minutes) – Video – Presentation Slides

Task 5: Assessment Logistics (about 8 minutes) – Video – Presentation Slides

Task 6: Technical Logistics (about 7 minutes) – Video – Presentation Slides

Task 7 (Part 2): Add Students – Review Student List (about 7 minutes) – Video – Presentation Slides

Task 8: Notify Parents & Guardians – Video – Presentation Slides

Task 9: Support Assessment Activities – Focused support video coming soon.

Test security guidelines have been developed by the OPI for use by STCs and other school and district staff to maintain the integrity of all MontCAS assessments. Following these guidelines ensures that no student has access to assistance or materials 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 throughout the school year.

The OPI Assessment Bulletin is designed for System Test Coordinators (STCs), subscribers, and any school personnel responsible for administering statewide assessments. It is developed each month by the OPI Assessment Unit to provide timely access to key test administration responsibilities and actionable content within each program checklist. Each issue also includes references to 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 Current and, in addition to being posted on this page, appears under the RSS Feed heading on the OPI’s State Testing homepage.

OPI Assessment Bulletin – 2026–2027 School Year

OPI Assessment Bulletin – 2025–2026 School Year

June 2026 OPI Assessment Bulletin

May 2026 OPI Assessment Bulletin

April 2026 OPI Assessment Bulletin

March 2026 OPI Assessment Bulletin

February 2026 OPI Assessment Bulletin

January 2026 OPI Assessment Bulletin

December 2025 OPI Assessment Bulletin

November 2025 OPI Assessment Bulletin

October 2025 OPI Assessment Bulletin

September 2025 OPI Assessment Bulletin

August 2025 OPI Assessment Bulletin

OPI Assessment Bulletin – 2024–2025 School Year

June 2025 OPI Assessment Bulletin

May 2025 OPI Assessment Bulletin

April 2025 OPI Assessment Bulletin

March 2025 OPI Assessment Bulletin

February 2025 OPI Assessment Bulletin

January 2025 OPI Assessment Bulletin

December 2024 OPI Assessment Bulletin

November 2024 OPI Assessment Bulletin

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, held on June 10, 2025, provides an overview of the DLM model, highlights 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 foundational concepts of local assessment systems and outlines a structured, multi‑step review process. The module includes facilitator slides, assessment review templates, inventory spreadsheets, and additional support materials to support effective evaluation of 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 is to address the challenges of cost, distance, time, and equitable 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, or the “Search Courses” feature.

Teacher Learning Hub

Statewide Testing Home