 April 2025 Assessment Compass Update
The April 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.
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Share Your Input on MAST
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.
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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!
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The MAST Testing Window #3 is Open
Window #3 for the MAST assessments opened March 24th and remains open through May 2nd. Ensure all students in Grades 3 through 8 are assessed through the Kite Portal.
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Send home the Parent Notification Letter about 2 weeks prior to planned testing.
Watch the MAST checklist tab for related tasks, and the MAST tab on the Stay Informed page for Focused Support Videos.
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The Montana Science Assessment (MSA) Testing Window is 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.
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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.
Watch the MSA checklist tab for related tasks, and the MSA tab on the Stay Informed page for Focused Support Videos.
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The MSAA and AMSA Testing Windows are Open
The testing window for the Multi State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) and the Alternate Montana Science Assessment (AMSA) opened on March 10th and will remain open through April 25th. Ensure all alternate students are assessed (Grades 3 through 8 for MSAA and Grades 5, 8, and 11 for AMSA).
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Send Parent Notification Letters about 2 weeks before planned testing and ensure all Test Administrators have completed the required training.
For the MSAA, watch the MSAA checklist tab for related tasks, and the Alternate tab on the Stay Informed page for Focused Support Videos.
For the AMSA watch the AMSA checklist tab for related tasks, and the Alternate tab on the Stay Informed page for Focused Support Videos.
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The ACT with Writing Testing Window is Open
Window #1 for ACT with Writing opened March 25th and remains open through April 4.
Window #2 opens April 8 and runs through April 18.
Window #3 opens April 22 and runs through May 2.
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Ensure Grade 11 students are assessed. Schools should complete site readiness and the mock administration to ensure the district is ready for test administration. Send Parent Notification Letters about 2 weeks before planned testing.
Resources for both of these tasks can be found under “Step 2: Configuration” on the ACT State and District website.
Watch the ACT checklist tab for related tasks, and the ACT tab on the Stay Informed page for Focused Support Videos.
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Join us for MAST Standard Setting!
Montana educators are invited to participate in Standard Setting for the MAST assessment in the Summer 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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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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Resources for both of these tasks can be found under “Step 2: Configuration” on the ACT State and District website.
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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