On May 4th, 2022, the OPI in partnership with the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment (Center for Assessment) convened a task force with the purpose of investigating the research phase of the Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST) Pilot Program. A diverse group of education stakeholders were chosen using criteria such as geographic location, school and community experiences, district size, grade levels served, and cultural perspectives.
Final Report of MAST Task Force
Theory of Action
As the first year of MAST concluded, Supt. Arntzen asked the Federal Department of Education for a one-year double-testing waiver to remove the summative test for those students, schools, and districts that participated in the MAST Pilot Program for the 2023-2024 school year.
On August 10, 2023, the United States Department of Education granted Montana a one-year flexibility waiver, allowing the state to transition to a through-year assessment model, specifically aimed at alleviating the requirement of double testing for schools participating in the MAST program.
Federal Testing Waiver