School Leaders,
Greetings from the OPI Assessment Team. We welcome you to autumn this 2020–2021 school year with the October monthly Assessment 411 communication. We thank you and your staff for the planning, preparation, training, and overall effort to support state assessment at the local level and to meet the statutory and regulatory requirements under state and federal law. In this issue, we have prepared some timely announcements tailored to your leadership role. Here are the 6 things in assessment you should be aware of this month.
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State 2020–2021 Testing Requirements
As of today, the participation requirement to administer annual state standardized assessments is required under federal and state law. The OPI recognizes the pandemic challenges Montana schools face and are seeking flexible approaches to administer these required assessments. On September 3, Secretary DeVos issued a memo to Chief State School Officers on the requirements of testing this school year. To learn more about this directive and what it means for schools, please read the September 3 Memo.
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Tips for Preparing for the ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Assessment
Last week System Test Coordinators with English Learner (EL) students were notified with some guidance on how to plan, prepare for, and address some matters related to testing ELs during the ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 testing window (December 2 to January 29, 2021). Read the ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 AIM Tips Email to learn more about this guidance..
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Attend OPI EL Office Hours from 3:00–3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, thru December 2. OPI representatives will be on the call to answer questions and assist schools. Join the Zoom Call at any time during the half hour, or call +1 646 558 8656 or +1 406 444 9999 [Meeting ID: 971 9652 0092].
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Notification to NAEP 2021 Schools
The participation requirement to administer NAEP in mathematics and reading in Grades 4 and 8 is required under Every Students Succeeds Act for any district receiving Title I funding. Montana schools selected to participate in the 2021 administration of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) have been notified. The assessment will take place between January 25 and March 19, 2021.
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Fall Senior Testing with ACT
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 27 for the October 20 test date, or they will not be scored.
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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#].
For seniors unable to test on October 6 or October 20, the Office of Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE) and OPI are in conversations with the test delivery contractor (ACT) to see if additional dates can be added in the spring should enough seniors benefit from this possibility. Until we are able to determine if this flexibility is possible for Montana students, students eligible for the ACT’s free fee waivers can test on a national test date, December 12, 2020 (Saturday). Updates on this option will be published in the OPI's Published Test Window Calendar and in the “Staying Informed” resources described below.
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Crafting Montana COVID-19 State Standardized Testing Guidance
Schools are encouraged to reach out to the OPI to share questions, concerns, and any challenges happening at the local level so the OPI Assessment Unit can support schools with these testing requirements. We are learning more every day with respect to what the local needs and conditions are. For these reasons, please send any COVID-related items to OPICOVID19@mt.gov. We will continue our efforts on crafting guidance for assessments so schools can conduct test administrations and learn what efforts the OPI has undertaken to pursue flexibilities for school districts amidst the COVID pandemic.
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We look forward to our continued collaboration and partnership to administer these state assessments in Montana.
If you missed the “Assessment 411” or would like to revisit past communications, archives are available in the “Assessment 411 Archive”.
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.
We are here to help. Contact us.
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.
Graphics shared in this newsletter created via LogoMakr.com
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