September 2022 Assessment Compass Update
The September 2022 OPI Assessment Bulletin has been posted. 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.
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Providing Score Reports to Families
School districts are required to notify parents/guardians of individual student reports in a timely manner to help families, teachers, and school leaders understand and address the specific academic needs of students.
Results for each tested student are available in the test vendor’s reporting system (e.g., Growth and Enhancement of Montana Students (GEMS longitudinal data warehouse).
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Contact Directory Updates for New System Test Coordinators
New System Test Coordinators (STCs) should contact the OPI Assessment Unit to ensure proper access to assessment portals. Confirmation from the district Authorized Representative will be required prior to providing access to student level data in the portals. The MontCAS Test Security Collection Schedule 2022-2023 has been published. STCs should review the schedule and plan for the district accordingly. Direct questions to the OPI Assessment Help Desk at OPIAssessmentHelpDesk@mt.gov or 1-844-867-2569.
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Update TIDE User Roles and Rollover Process for 2022-2023
This school year the TIDE System requires user updates to reflect the configurations by each allowed user-level under the OPI’s policies for Data Privacy. All test delivery systems (TDS) portals are web-based and restricted-use reporting systems; therefore, only authorized users are permitted to access and manage these system accounts. Specific usernames and passwords allow access to confidential school and student data. All educators involved in the administration of statewide assessments are responsible for maintaining the privacy and security of all student records as specified in the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and by state law.
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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.
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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 these assessment related components. STC participants will leave this three-day series with content to complete the four required testing plans 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 said activities and invite veteran STCs to share their experience(s) as well.
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ACT with Writing Moves to Online Format
The OPI will be supporting online testing under the state contract beginning the 2022-2023 school year. Three test windows will each be two weeks long, giving schools six testing days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) for each window to deliver the online assessment.
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This new format will -
- Ensure optimal accessibility features for the assessments 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 a considerable cost savings for the State which can free up funds that can be used to support other college access needs through the GEAR UP federal grant managed by the Office of Commissioner Higher Education.
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New Alternate Assessment Eligibility Guidelines Effective August 1, 2022
The Alternate Assessment Eligibility Guidelines 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.
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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 1.0 percent cap, and share various resources with the public.
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Plan and Prepare for the 2022-2023 Testing Calendars
Place the anticipated OPI Published Test Windows on school calendars for next year
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- 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.
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.
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