October 2022 Assessment Compass Update
The October 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
Montana school districts are required to provide parents/guardians with individual student reports in a timely manner [see School District Roles and Responsibilities for Distributing Score Reports]. ESEA-ESSA requires that individual student reports are shared with families, teachers, and school leaders to better understand and address the specific academic needs of students.
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State aggregate data is also available in the test vendor reporting systems and this Fall 2022 the OPI will release state-level results in the state longitudinal data warehouse known as Growth and Enhancement of Montana Students (GEMS).
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Smarter Balanced and MSA Interims Now Available on the Montana Testing Portal
Are you planning to use Interims this fall/winter? If so, review these reminders and updates.
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Create a Plan: Ensure there is a plan and intention for how the assessments will serve learning over the course of the school year.
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Request Access to ICAs: New this year, if your school wishes to administer Interim Comprehensive Assessments (ICAs), you will need to contact the OPI Assessment Unit for access to the ICA administration.
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Accessibility and Equity are MUSTs: Support each child with accessibility per the student’s educational plan.
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Provide Time to Practice: Ensure each child has time to practice and/or experience the testing tools (e.g., Practice and Training Tests).
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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.
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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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STC Workshop Series Offered in October
Register for the STC Workshop Series! The OPI Assessment Unit will host three days of training on October 6, October 13, and October 27, 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. The OPI Assessment Team will provide step-by-step instructions on how to accomplish the various STC activities, share some tips, and explore strategies to help complete the testing plans for the school year.
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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. This new format will -
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- 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 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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Ensure Accurate Enrollments in AIM
To ensure all students are uploaded to the appropriate Test Delivery Portals have the AIM District Clerk/Business Office affirm the enrollments in AIM/Infinite Campus (Student Information System) is accurate and up-to-date.
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See the AIM Data Collection Schedule for information and resources to complete these tasks. Contact the AIM Help Desk at 1-877-424-6681 OR 406-444-3800 or Submit an AIM Help Desk Ticket with any questions on AIM/Infinite Campus.
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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