July 2022 Assessment Compass Update
The OPI Assessment Bulletin is specifically designed for System Test Coordinators (STCs), subscribers, and any school personnel with a responsibility to administer state 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 state assessments.
Watch for the August 2022 OPI Assessment Bulletin next month.
 |
|
STC Workshop Series Offered in October
Register for the STC Workshop Series! The OPI Assessment Unit will host three days of learning on October 6, October 13, and October 20, 2022, for a total of 12 sessions to support new and veteran STCs with the planning, preparation, and test management needs for the 2022-2023 school year.
|
The purpose of the “STC Workshop Series” is to provide each Montana school district System Test Coordinator (STC) with the opportunity to learn the “how-to’s” for each of the above assessment-related components. STC participants will leave this three-day series with content to complete the four required testing plans (Test Administration Plan, Test Accessibility Plan, Test Security Plan, and Test Training Plan) and be provided with step-by-step instructions on how to accomplish the various STC activities. The OPI Assessment Team will share some tips and tricks to accomplish the activities and invite veteran STCs to share their experience(s) as well.
 |
|
ACT with Writing Moving to Online Format
The OPI will offer online testing under the state contract beginning the 2022-2023 school year. School districts can select from three test windows, each two weeks long, providing schools with six testing days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) in each window.
|
The online format under the state contract will
- allow for more scheduling flexibility at the school- and district-level;
- ensure optimal accessibility features to include all students to the fullest extent possible;
- permit faster access to score reports to turn around results sooner to students and families;
- minimize confusion around standardized protocols to ensure test integrity and fewer test security violations; and
- provide considerable cost savings for the state of Montana freeing up funds for college access use and needs under the Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs [GEAR UP] federal grant managed by the Office of Commissioner Higher Education.
 |
|
New Alternate Assessment Eligibility Guidelines Effective August 1, 2022
The Alternate Assessment Eligibility Guidelines were published in 2021-2022 for school district training and technical assistance purposes and will be in effect on August 1, 2022. This allows school districts with adequate time to transition and implement the updated policies and procedures. The new eligibility guidelines explain the OPI’s policies and procedures for assessing students with significant cognitive disabilities (SwSCDs) using Montana's Alternate Assessments.
|
The State 1.0 Percent Cap Guidance and Monitoring website is intended to centralize the guidance on Alternate Assessments, assist the OPI with the public comment process for the 1.0 percent cap, and share various resources with the public.
 |
|
| |
Plan and Prepare for the 2022-2023 Testing Calendars
Place the anticipated OPI Published Test Windows on school calendars for next year
|
|
- ACCESS for ELLs: Dec. 5, 2022 – Feb. 24, 2023
- Multi-State Alternate: Mar. 13 – Apr. 28, 2023
- Alternate Science: Mar. 13 – Apr. 28, 2023
- Science: Mar. 6 – May 26, 2023
- Smarter Balanced: Mar. 6 – May 26, 2023
- ACT with Writing: Window 1 [Mar. 28-30 & Apr 4-6, 2023*], Window 2 [Apr. 11-13 & Apri 18-20, 2023*], and Window 3 [Apr. 25-27 & May 2-4, 2023*].
The OPI will publish any changes to the test windows on the Published Test Windows. The asterisk (*) indicates Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday testing.
 |
|
Opportunity to Provide Feedback
The OPI Assessment Unit encourages educators to share their feedback to assist the OPI Assessment Unit in enhancing the MontCAS program for future years.
|
System Test Coordinators who have not already done so can complete the 2021-2022 STC MontCAS Debrief Form before July 1. Not only does the form provide feedback, but STCs can receive renewal unit certificates for their state assessment-related work over this past school year.
The Wrap Up 2020-21 and Look Forward to 2021-22 Padlet is open to all educators (password: MontCAS2022) to provide this important information. The Padlet closes on July 1, 2021.
 |
|
MAST Project Update
The OPI has partnered with Education First, the Center for Assessment, and New Meridian to build a “through year” assessment system for the Montana Alternative Student Testing (MAST) program. The OPI is working with key stakeholders to develop an improved model of state assessment that provides student autonomy in the learning process, flexibility and immediate feedback to classroom educators, and local control for data use needs within the school system. On April 29, 2022, the OPI applied for the U.S. Department of Education’s Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA) allowed under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorized as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015.
|
The “through year” model is a new approach to state-level assessment that supports the formative process that is closer to the local decisions required to support teaching and learning needs. These testlets are short mini-tests delivered to students throughout the academic year, aligned to the local curriculum, student readiness, and state standards. The result is a “classroom up” approach that gives teachers real-time feedback to customize instruction for each student while providing schools, districts, and state leaders with actionable data. Are you interested in writing Grade 5 and 7 Math and English language arts items? Please apply through the New Meridian Workshop Page.
Direct questions to the OPI Assessment Help Desk at OPIAssessmentHelpDesk@mt.gov, or 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.
|
