December 2024 Assessment Compass Update
The December 2024 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 to prepare for state assessments.
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MAST Window #1 is now closed.
Window #1 for the MAST assessments closed on Friday, November 22nd.
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Share student score reports with parents/families. A Kite Parent Portal is available to use as part of the Kite Suite. Directions to set up the parent portal can be found in this Kite Parent Portal One-Pager. A Parent Score Report Template letter and other resources are available on the MAST Portal under the Resources for Parents section.
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Invitation to Participate: MAST Standard Setting
Montana educators are invited to participate in Standard Setting for the MAST assessment in the Summer of 2025.
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In collaboration with other subject matter experts, Montana educators will help draft and refine performance-level descriptors to ensure these descriptors accurately reflect the competencies students must demonstrate at each performance level. Express initial interest by filling out the linked MAST Standard Setting Recruitment Form.
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ACCESS for ELLs Test Window Now Open
The test window for the ACCESS for ELLs, Montana’s English language proficiency assessment, opened on December 2, 2024, and closes on February 21, 2025. To ensure a smooth and successful assessment, check with test administrators to confirm they have completed the required training in the WIDA Secure Portal.
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Watch the ACCESS for ELLs checklist tab for related tasks, and the ACCESS for ELLs tab on the Stay Informed page for Focused Support Videos.
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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) are accurate and up-to-date. 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.
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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.
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Results for each tested student are available in the test vendor’s reporting system.
State-level results can be found in the Growth and Enhancement of Montana Students (GEMS longitudinal data warehouse).
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Plan and Prepare for the 2024-2025 Testing Calendars
Place the anticipated OPI Published Test Windows on school calendars for next year
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- MAST: Window 1 [Oct. 14-Nov. 22, 2024], Window 2 [Jan. 13-Feb. 21, 2025], Window 3 [Mar. 24-May2, 2025], Window 4 (Anchor Only) [May 5-May 23, 2025].
- ACCESS for ELLs: Dec. 2, 2024 – Feb. 21, 2025
- Montana Science Assessment: Mar.3-May 23, 2025
- Multi-State Alternate: Mar. 10 – Apr. 25, 2025
- Alternate Science: Mar. 10 – Apr. 25, 2025
- ACT with Writing: Window 1 [Mar. 25-Apr 4, 2025], Window 2 [Apr. 8-18, 2025], and Window 3 [Apr. 22- May 2, 2025].
The OPI will publish any changes to the test windows on the Published Test Windows.
New for the 2024-2025 school year, the OPI Assessment Unit is introducing monthly Open Office Hours and the Focused Support Video Series. See the Stay Informed page of the OPI Statewide Testing webpages for scheduling and links to attend office hours, and to view Focused Support Videos.
Subscribe to the OPI Assessment Unit’s YouTube Channel to view recorded webinars, support videos, program overviews, and STC Workshop sessions.
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2024-2025 STC Workshop Series
The OPI Assessment Team hosted the third annual STC Workshop Series over three days in October. The purpose of the workshop was to provide Montana System Test Coordinators an opportunity to learn the specifics around state testing and to provide resources to assist the STC in creating district testing plans to ensure a successful assessment cycle.
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If you missed the live sessions, you can view the recorded versions on the STC Workshop Series website. Resources, presentation slides, and frequently asked questions for each session are also available on the website.
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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