 March 2025 Assessment Compass Update
The March 2025 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.
Share Your Input on MAST
Please let us know how MAST is helping you in your classroom! The OPI and testing partner New Meridian are looking for educators to share their experience with administering MAST and its usefulness for helping provide timely and relevant feedback to students.
Use the Questionnaire Interest Link to be considered for participation in this opportunity. Once interest questionnaires are submitted, if selected, teachers will be contacted by New Meridian to participate and will be compensated $30 for completion of a 30-minute questionnaire with opportunities for additional follow-up interviews.
Please note that questionnaire responses are for research purposes only and will not be used to evaluate the performance of individual teachers, schools, or students. Thank you for helping us to validate and improve the MAST assessment!
ACCESS for ELLs Test Window is Now Closed
The ACCESS for ELLs assessment window closed on Friday, February 28th. Score reports will be available in the WIDA AMS in late April, and printed reports will be mailed to districts in early May.
Districts can follow these ‘After Testing’ steps to wind up ACCESS for ELLs testing for the 2024-2025 school year.
- Return testing materials to DRC as soon as possible to ensure timely return of student results. Follow the instructions in the Returning ACCESS Materials to DRC
- Report any testing incidents that have not yet been reported, and report instances of non-participation for your district. Both of these tasks are completed in the MontCAS Application. For step-by-step instructions, see the MontCAS Application User Guide.
MAST Window #2 is Now Closed
Window #2 for the MAST assessments closed on Friday, February 28th. Districts can follow these 'After Testing' steps to wind up MAST Window 2 testing.
- 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.
- Report any testing incidents that have not yet been reported, and report instances of non-participation for your district. Both of these tasks are completed in the MontCAS Application. For step-by-step instructions, see the MontCAS Application User Guide
The Montana Science Assessment Testing Window is Now Open
The testing window for the Montana Science Assessment (MSA) opened on March 3rd and will remain open through May 23rd. Ensure all Grade 5 and 8 students are assessed through the Montana Testing Portal during the window.
Send Parent Notification Letters home to parents/guardians about 2 weeks before planned testing and ensure all Test Administrators have completed the required TA Certification Course located in the Montana Testing Portal.
Join us for MAST Standard Setting!
Montana educators are invited to participate in Standard Setting for the MAST assessment in the Summer 2025.
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.
MSAA and AMSA Test Windows Opening Soon!
The testing window for the Multi State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) and the Alternate Montana Science Assessment (AMSA) opens on March 10th and will remain open through April 25th
Send Parent Notification Letters home to parents/guardians about 2 weeks before planned testing and ensure all Test Administrators have completed the required training.
Complete Site Readiness and Mock Administration in Preparation for the ACT with Writing.
Schools administering the ACT with Writing during Window #1 should complete site readiness and the mock administration to ensure the district is ready for test administration.
Resources for both of these tasks can be found under “Step 2: Configuration” on the ACT State and District website.
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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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Staying Informed
The OPI Assessment Unit will continue to share information with schools via the Monthly Assessment Bulletin Newsletter, accessed via the OPI Compass.
New for the 2024-2025 school year, the OPI Assessment Unit has introduced the Focused Support Video Series. See the Stay Informed page of the OPI Statewide Testing webpages 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.
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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