Superintendent Arntzen to Transition Away from Smarter Balanced as MAST Program Becomes Primary Assessment Press Release
The first testing window for the MAST Through-Year Pilot runs from October 23 - November 10, 2023, for grades 3 through 8 in math and English Language Arts (ELA). The OPI has partnered with 54 Montana school districts and approximately 20,682 students will pilot the MAST Through-Year testlets this school year.
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Upcoming Events:
Live Listening/Feedback Cycles will be scheduled throughout the school year to ensure continuous improvement of the MAST. These sessions will serve as an opportunity for districts to share feedback, suggestions, and experiences to help enhance the usability of the MAST. We value your input and encourage you to participate in these live listening/feedback sessions. The first live listening/feedback session is scheduled for November 14th from 3:30-4:30 pm.
Zoom Link | ID: 863 6095 6592 | Code: 998612
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Montana Educators’ MAST Contributions
Montana educators are playing a crucial role in the development and enhancement of the MAST assessment. A team of highly dedicated and passionate teachers from across Montana have come together as part of the MAST Educator Cadre to contribute to test item writing and review. The expertise and valuable insights provided by Montana's educators are essential in ensuring the MAST assessment's quality and relevance. Through their active involvement, Montana educators are significantly shaping the MAST assessment process, ultimately benefiting students throughout the state. The dedication of Montana's educators to the field of education and their willingness to contribute to the improvement of the MAST assessment is greatly appreciated by the OPI. Their commitment to the success and growth of Montana students is truly commendable.
MAST Through-Year vs. MAST Form B Pilot Districts
The OPI recognizes the pioneering efforts of two subgroups of the MAST Pilot–our MAST Through-Year districts and our MAST Form B Summative districts. These districts have shown exceptional dedication and innovation in implementing the MAST program. This recognition is a testament to their hard work and commitment to improving education outcomes for their students. As we continue to expand and refine the MAST initiative, we look forward to the valuable insights and lessons these districts will contribute to its success.
The MAST Form B Pilot program offers districts the chance to experience an end-of-year assessment and get a preview of the through-year assessment in a more traditional summative format. Districts will test in the final testing window only–April 15 - May 10, 2024. As part of this program, districts will have access to the Kite testing platform, allowing them to interact with the testlet content and design. This opportunity allows districts to familiarize themselves with the assessment process before statewide implementation in the 2024-2025 school year. It's important to note that full participation in the MAST Form B Pilot will not require districts to take the Smarter Balanced Assessment, and there will be no impact on accountability measures. This opportunity aims to provide valuable insights and feedback to improve the assessment system for all stakeholders involved. The deadline for confirming school participation in the Form B MAST pilot is November 15, 2023.
MAST Through-Year Pilot districts are fully committed to participating in the innovative through-year design. These districts have already submitted their curriculum, ensuring seamless alignment of the MAST testlets with the local scope and sequence. As part of the pilot program, districts will have the opportunity to administer the MAST assessments during all five test windows scheduled throughout the year. By participating in the MAST Through-Year Pilot, districts will no longer be obligated to administer the Smarter Balanced Assessment, and their accountability measures will remain unaffected. This pilot program revolutionizes the assessment experience for districts and provides valuable insights into student progress throughout the academic year.
Districts participating in both subgroups of the MAST Pilot are still required to administer the Montana Science Assessment (MSA) to students in grades 5 and 8. Any alternate students you may have enrolled this year will need to take the Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) (Grades 3-8 and 11) and the Alternate Montana Science Assessment (AMSA) for Grades 5, 8, and 11 as there is not an alternate version of MAST.
Testing Windows:
- Testing Window #1: October 23 - November 10, 2023
- Testing Window #2: November 27 - December 15, 2023
- Testing Window #3: January 29 - February 16, 2024
- Testing Window #4: March 11 - April 5, 2024 (ELA performance task)
- Testing Window #5: April 15 - May 10, 2024
Questions?
Please contact Tressa Graveley, Assessment Specialist
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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