September 2025 Assessment Compass Update
The September 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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New Alternate Statewide Assessments for 2025-2026 School Year
The Multi State Alternate Assessment and the Alternate Montana Science Assessment will no longer be administered to Montana students with significant cognitive disabilities in Grades 5, 8, and 11 as of the 2025-2026 school year.
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The required Alternate ELA, Math, and Science content areas will be assessed with the Dynamic Learning Map (DLM). Information and resources for the DLM Alternate Assessments can be found on the DLM ELA/math and DLM Science webpages. Additionally, the DLM Montana State website provides information on the assessment details such as blueprints, Essential Elements, and accessibility.
Refer to DLM Before Testing Tasks for an overview of the steps that must be completed prior to administration.
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Contact Updates for New System Test Coordinators
New System Test Coordinators (STCs) should contact the OPI Assessment Unit to ensure proper access to state 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 for the 2025-2026 school year has been published. STCs should review the schedule and plan for the district accordingly. Direct questions to the OPI Assessment Help Desk at 844.867.2569 or OPIAssessmentHelpDesk@mt.gov
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2025 –2026 STC Workshop Series Moves to September
The OPI Assessment Unit will be offering the STC Workshop Series over three Thursdays in September, incorporating the MAST Fall Summit as Day 1 of the series.
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In addition to the MAST Fall Summit (September 4, 2025), Day 2 (September 11, 2025) will focus on the new DLM Alternate Assessments and Day 3 (September 18, 2025) will focus on test security and a review of the statewide testing portals.
No registration is necessary this year, simply click the session links on the STC Workshop Series website to join each session. For more information, reach out to the OPI Assessment Unit at 844-867-2569 or opiassessmenthelpdesk@mt.gov.
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Complete Required DLM Training During Facilitated Session
Day 2 of the STC Workshop Series (September 11, 2025) offers a facilitated live (virtual) training session during which attendees can complete required training and leave the session with the certification needed to administer the new DLM Alternate Assessments.
Join the session on September 11, 2025, at 1:00 PM.
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Fall 2025 MAST Training Dates
Join the OPI Assessment Unit to learn more about preparing to administer the MAST assessments.
Sessions will cover:
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- Technology Check & Kite Student Portal Secure Browser Updates
- User Management, rostering, and entering student PNPs (accommodations)
- Preparing and Training Test Administrators and other staff supporting MAST administration
- Administering and Monitoring Testlet Completion
- Accessing and Utilizing Score Reports
- Sharing Reports with Families
Use this meeting link to join the trainings on October 1, 8, and 15 from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
Review the updated home page of the OPI Statewide Assessment home page.On the home page, you'll find three important areas:
- A yellow dropdown titled “Click for a List of Upcoming Events” – open this dropdown for dates and links to attend important training and PD events regarding statewide assessments.
- A yellow dropdown titled “Click for a List of Upcoming STC Deadlines” – open this dropdown to keep up to date with deadlines for your STC tasks.
- A heading titled "STC Checklist". This checklist is updated weekly and will include a list of all the timely tasks for the various assessments with resources to assist you in completing them.
The OPI Assessment Unit continues to add videos to 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 and other statewide assessment recordings.
Direct questions to the OPI Assessment Help Desk at OPIAssessmentHelpDesk@mt.govor 1-844-867-2569
Direct questions to the OPI Assessment Help Desk at OPIAssessmentHelpDesk@mt.gov, or 1-844-867-2569.
Resources for both of these tasks can be found under “Step 2: Configuration” on the ACT State and District website.
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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