Opening of statewide assessment window announced by Superintendent Arntzen

In the spring of 2022, statewide test scored for grades 3-8 resulted in 36% proficiency in Math and 46% proficiency in Reading, said a press release.

The testing windows include March 6-May 26 for the Smarter Balanced (SBAC) Math and Reading/Language Arts in grades 3-8; March 6-May 26 for the Montana Science Assessment (MSA) for general science in grades 5 and 8; and March 13-April 28 for the alternate assessments in Math and Reading/Language Arts assessment in grades 3-8 and 11 and Science for grades 5, 8, and 11 for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

“I continually hear from Montana teachers, parents, and students who realize that federally mandated end-of-the-year testing does not accurately reflect academic success,” said Arntzen in a press release. “This is why I began the MAST pilot program, which tests student knowledge close to the teaching and learning of the skill. I have also opened our Math state content standards for revision so that our teachers gain more confidence in teaching math and our schools focus on individualized learning for our students.”

This program opened to grades 5 and 7 in the fall of 2022 and will expand for the grades 3 through 8 in the fall of 2023. The third testing window for the 2022-23 MAST Pilot Program will be opened from March 6-24.

The MAST program is made up of multiple smaller tests throughout the year that happens when the skill is learned. The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) is currently recruiting more school districts to join the expanded pilot program.

The OPI is also seeking Math and Language Art teachers in grades 3-8 to participate in a review of testlet items during a virtual meeting on March 28-29; and an item writing workshop on June 12-16.

Contact Samantha Walsh at samantha.walsh@mt.gov to participate in the expanded pilot program or the paid workshop opportunities.