 September 2026 Assessment Updates
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Review the September 2026 Assessment Bulletin
The September 2026 Assessment Bulletin will be available in the Assessment Feed at the bottom of the OPI Statewide Assessment Home Page.
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The OPI Assessment Bulletin is designed for System Test Coordinators (STCs) and any school personnel with a responsibility to administer state assessments. It is created 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 statewide assessments.
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STC Workshop Series
Mark your calendars for Thursdays in September, 2026! The OPI Assessment Unit will host the STC Workshop Series on September 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2026.
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Sessions on September 10 will be dedicated to the MAST assessment and again this year, educators administering the DLM alternate assessment can attend a virtual training session to complete required training for the administration of the DLM assessments. Those attending the DLM Training Session must confirm a Kite Educator Portal account prior to attending the session this year.
Watch for information and updates on the STC Workshop Series website. See you there!
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STCs Complete Required Test Security Tasks
The deadline to complete the two test security screens within the MontCAS Application is September 11, 2026. STCs can download the MontCAS Test Security Collection Schedule to be aware of deadlines for statewide assessment tasks.
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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. Direct questions to the OPI Assessment Help Desk at 844.867.2569 or OPIAssessmentHelpDesk@mt.gov.
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Providing Score Reports to Families
School districts are required to provide parents/guardians with individual student reports no later than fall Parent Teacher Conferences.
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Results for each tested student are available in each test vendor's reporting system.
In addition to the score report, information about how to interpret the report must also be shared with parents/guardians. Templates for letters to include with the score reports can be found on the Parent Corner page of the OPI Statewide Testing webpages.
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Plan and Prepare for the 2026-2027 Testing Calendars
Place the anticipated OPI Published Test Windows on school calendars.
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- DLM ELA/math (alternate): Fall Window: Sept. 14-Dec. 18, 2026
- MAST: Window 1: Oct. 19-Dec. 11, 2026, Window 2: Jan. 11-March 5, 2027, Window 3: March 29-May 21, 2027
- WIDA ACCESS: Jan. 4-March 5, 2027
- DLM ELA/math (alternate): Spring Window: Feb. 1-May 21, 2027
- DLM Science (alternate): Feb. 1-May 21, 2027
- Montana Science Assessment: March 1-May 21, 2027
- ACT with Writing: Window 1; Mar. 23-Apr 2, 2027, Window 2; Apr. 6-16, 2027, and Window 3; Apr. 20-30 2027.
The OPI will publish any changes to the test windows on the Published Test Windows.
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Staying Informed
The OPI Assessment Unit will continue to share information with schools via the monthly Assessment Bulletin accessed via the Assessment Feed at the bottom of the OPI Statewide Testing Webpage.
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The OPI Assessment Unit continues to add videos to the Focused Support Video Series. Find individual statewide assessment focused support video playlists on the OPI Assessment Unit's YouTube channel.
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.gov or 1-844-867-2569.
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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