October 2020 OPI Assessment Bulletin

The October 2020 OPI Assessment Bulletin has been posted to the OPI Statewide Testing page of the OPI website. This bulletin is tailored to the test coordination responsibilities at each school system. Check out this issue to learn about assessment updates and reminders. The five takeaways from this issue are summarized below.

Fall 2020 OPI Recommendations English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science Interim Assessments are available in the Montana Testing Portal. Watch the OPI Fall 2020 Recommendations recorded webinar to learn more about how to use the interims this fall.

Mark your calendar to attend October’s MontCAS webinar – A Balanced Assessment System. Register for the October webinar – “A Balanced Assessment System”. The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Visit the MontCAS Monthly Webinar tab on the Stay Informed page for details and links to join or view the recorded versions of the monthly MontCAS webinars.

Review the newly released STC Corner Website The STC Corner Site has been released to STCs. To learn more about this resource, attend the STC Open Forum Webinar Series. Joining details for this monthly event can be found on the STC Open Forum page of the STC Corner Site.

ACT Score Reports and Office Hours Remember to return test booklets, used answer documents and test administration forms as soon as possible after testing. Materials must be received by ACT no later than October 13 for the October 6 test date, and no later than October 27 for the October 20 test date, or they will not be scored. Attend ACT Office Hours from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Thursdays, thru December 10. ACT representatives will be on the call to answer questions and assist schools. Join the  Microsoft Teams call at any time during the hour, or call +1 515-207-8727 [Conference ID: 375 657 79#].

Complete electronic Test Security Agreements prior to testing. New for the 2020-2021 school year, the collection of Test Security Agreements (TSAs) has moved to an online electronic format. Ensure all staff that assist with state assessments in any way complete the TSA appropriate for their role prior to test administration. Details and locations of TSAs for each role can be found on pages 4 and 5 of this month's bulletin.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to pose significant challenges. Given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OPI will continue to seek flexibilities and pursue what educational path is best for students within the law.

Assessment Help Desk: 1-844-867-2569

The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.

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