Phase 2 - CRT

Phase 2--Overview

• Criterion-referenced test (CRT)—Measured Progress Inc.
• Aligned to Montana Content Standards
• Grades 3-8, 10 (see implementation schedule below)
• Reading and math (see implementation schedule below)
• Multiple choice, math short answer and constructed response
  • Common and embedded field test items
    • Sixteen forms per grade provide a large pool of field test items
    • Field test items become common items in future tests
    • Only common items are used for scoring
    • Scored items are released each year
• Evidence based alternate assessment
• Funded by NCLB
• First administration, Spring 2004
• Implementation schedule:
  • Spring 2004 and 2005
    • Reading and Math, Grades 4, 8, 10
  • Spring 2006 and 2007
    • Reading and Math, Grades 3-8, 10
  • Spring 2008
    • Reading and Math, Grades 3-8, 10
    • Science, Grades 4, 8, 10
• Spring 2008 Test Windows
  • CRT-Alternate
    • February 11–March 26
  • CRT
    • March 3 - March 26

Overview

• Standard
  • Available to IEP, LEP, 504, and other students for whom the standard accommodation is a regular part of the student instructional plan
  • May be used for one or more subjects
• Nonstandard
  • Available to students with an IEP plan
  • May be used for one or more subjects
  • A nonstandard accommodation results in a novice score for reporting purposes. A student is not counted as having participated if a nonstandard accommodation is used.
  • The CRT-Alternate
    • Designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities
    • Must be used for all subjects
    • Must be included in a student's IEP plan
    • Guidelines for determining eligibility for participation are included in the CRT Test Administrators Manual and CRT-Alternate Test Administrators Manual.

Overview
Two external alignment studies have been conducted of MontCAS, Phase 2, the Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) and Montana content standards.

• August 2002
  The Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory ( NWREL) prepared an alignment study of the foundation of the Montana CRT and Montana content standards prior to the development of the Montana CRT.   The foundation of the Montana CRT is a bank of items from Measured Progress, the CRT testing company.   These items are named Progress Towards Standards (PTS).   The alignment study conducted by NWREL provided the information for augmenting the PTS items with items specifically developed in Montana by Montana educators. (need to link)
• March 2005
  The Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL) prepared an alignment study of the 2005 Montana CRT and Montana content standards.