FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2023
Superintendent Arntzen to Transition Away from Smarter Balanced as MAST Program Becomes Primary Assessment
HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen has begun the process of transitioning away from the federally mandated end-of-the-year summative assessment vendor Smarter Balanced. Montana has contracted with Smarter Balanced for 12 years as the state’s main summative assessment vendor. In August Superintendent Arntzen secured a field-testing flexibility waiver from the United States Department of Education (DOE). This waiver ensures that Montana school districts participating in the Montana Alternative Student Testing (MAST) Pilot Program during the 2023-2024 school year are not double-tested.
“This exciting opportunity is a reflection of a Montana-made solution for Montana students and schools,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Montana is leading the nation in reimagining innovative ways to measure student success while providing pathways for adjusting teaching and learning that recognizes individual potential. I am grateful for the partnership Montana has had with Smarter Balanced over the last decade and I appreciate their support during the final year of our contract.”
"Montana has a long history of advocating for teachers and students, and we are proud of what we have accomplished with the Montana Office of Public Instruction over the past twelve years,” said Executive Director and co-founder of Smarter Balanced, Tony Alpert. “We remain committed to a successful 2023-2024 school year for both students and educators across the state and will continue to be a partner during this transition.”
The MAST program is scheduled to fully replace the current end-of-the-year summative assessment statewide beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. MAST focuses on the through-year assessment model providing immediate feedback on academic performance to students, teachers, and parents.
###
Questions? Contact:
Brian O'Leary, Communications Director
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.
|
