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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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

October MAST Trainings