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MAIN CONTACTS

SECONDARY CONTACTS

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The Montana Comprehensive Assessment System (MontCAS) includes a Criterion-Referenced Test, a Criterion-Referenced Test-Alternate, an English Language Proficiency Test, and the ACT (American College Test) Plus Writing.

Contacts:

Judy Snow
Assessment Director
406.444.3656
jsnow@mt.gov

Yvonne Field
Assessment Specialist
406.444.0748
yfield@mt.gov

Ashley Makowski
Administrative Assistant
406.444.3511
amakowski@mt.gov

Upcoming and Important Dates

2012
August/September High Schools will receive information about the ACT Plus Writing Administration
December 3 Access for ELLs Administration Begins
2013
January 9 Assessment Data Conference
At the Billings Crowne Plaza
10
11
29 Access for ELLs Administration ENDS
February 19 CRT-Alternate Test Window Open
March 4 CRT Test Window Open
26 Both CRT & Alternate test windows CLOSED
April 23 - May 7   ACT Plus Writing for Public School Students in Grade 11
April 23 Initial Test Day
May 7 Makeup Test Day
April 23 - May 7   Accommodated Testing Window

MontCAS Overview

MontCAS Overview Webinar
MontCAS Overview Webinar Handouts

Criterion-Referenced Tests (CRT)

  • The Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) and Criterion-Referenced Test-Alternate (CRT-Alt) are aligned to Montana content standards. The CRT-Alternate is based on Alternate Achievement Standards (AAS).
  • The CRT and the CRT-Alt in Reading and Math in grades 3-8 and 10 received full approval from the United States
    Department of Education in November of 2007. The CRT-Alternate for Science in grades 4, 8, and 10 has been approved.
  • Approval from the United States Department of Education for the CRT in Science in grades 4, 8, and 10 is pending.
  • Data on test results and participation are available on the Montana Report Card site. Additional test result data are on the OPI IRIS test report site.

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

  • The English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment is required by NCLB for all students identified as Limited English Proficient (LEP).
  • The ELP is published by World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA).
  • The ELP assesses LEP students for their English language proficiency to identify needs and drive educational change.
  • The ELP is administered in grades K-12, with five grade spans (K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12).
  • The ELP measures proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Statewide Testing: Spring 2001 - Present

Dates Contractor Tests Grades Content Areas
MontCAS Phase 1
Spring 2001 – Spring 2007 Riverside Publishing Company Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) and Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED): off-the-shelf norm referenced test and Montana developed Alternate ITBS: Grades 4 and 8 ITED: Grade 11 Reading, Communication Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science
MontCAS Phase 2
Spring 2004 & Spring 2005 Measured Progress Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) and Criterion- Referenced Test-Alternate (CRT-Alt) Grades 4, 8, and 10 Reading and Math
Spring 2006 – Present Measured Progress Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) and Criterion-Referenced Test-Alternate (CRT-Alt) Grades 3-8, and 10 Reading and Math
Spring 2007 –Present Measured Progress Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) and Criterion-Referenced Test-Alternate (CRT-Alt) Grades 4, 8, and 10 Science
English Language Proficiency Test (ELP)
Fall 2006- Fall 2010 Questar English Language Proficiency Test Grades
K-12		 Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing Comprehension
Winter 2010/11 - Present WIDA ACCESS for ELLs Grades
K-12		 Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing

JUMP Newsletters

Join Us in Measuring Progress!

Welcome to JUMP, the OPI online assessment newsletter. JUMP is published several times during the year to announce important assessment and data events. It provides up-to-date information necessary for the administration of statewide assessments and the accompanying data

 

2012-13 Testing Schedule

 

September/October 2012 High school will receive information about the ACT Plus Writing Administration
December 3, 2012 -
January 29, 2013		 English Language Proficiency Assessment - WIDA
January 9-11, 2013 OPI Assessment and Data Conference, Billings
The conference will begin the afternoon of January 9 with a full day on January 10 and morning sessions on January 11

 

2013 Jump Newsletters

 

May
February

Montana OPI

Montana OPI

2012 Jump Newsletters

 

November

October
* Version 2

October

September
* Special ACT Edition

September
* Special Edition

Montana OPI

August

May

February

Montana OPI

January
* Special Edition

January
Montana OPI

Montana OPI

Montana OPI

2011 Jump Newsletters

 

December

November

Montana OPI

August

May

Montana OPI

January
* Volume 2

January

Montana OPI

Montana OPI

Montana OPI

2010 Jump Newsletters

2010 Index

October

August

Montana OPI

July

May

Montana OPI

February

Montana OPI

Montana OPI

Montana OPI

Montana OPI

OPI Assessment and Data Conference 2013

"Seeing the Leaves and the Trees"

Learn to use data to better understand:

  • each of your students
  • your entire class
  • your grade level
  • your school
  • your district

Intended Audience:

  • Curriculum Directors
  • Test Coordinators
  • Department/Grade Level Chairs
  • Teachers
  • Staff responsible for entering data into AIM
2013 Assessment Conference

January 9-11, 2013: OPI Assessment and Data Conference

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Billings, Montana

Register November 1-January 2. The conference will begin the afternoon of January 9 with a full day on January 10 and morning sessions on January 11. See prices on the Registration page.

Late registrants, we will not be accepting payment at the conference site. Please send a check or purchase order to Montana State University Conference Services, Attn Amber Robertson, P.O. Box 174150, Bozeman, Montana 59717. Please indicate OPI Conference on the memo line of your check.

Please contact Ashley Makowski, Administrative Assistant, 406.444.3511 for more information or if you want to be a sponsor.

Registration

Click here to register for the 2013 Assessment/Data Conference.

Registration: November 1 - January 2.
(Last day for Full Refunds less the Conference Services fee: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 12:00 pm)
Late Registration: January 3-7.

Registration Prices: Pre-session only - $25 (Late fee $25+$10=$35)
Conference only - $65 (Late fee $65+$10=$75)
Pre-session and Conference - $75
Late Charge: $85

Combination Assessment and Data Conference

  • 2013 Assessment Conference Program
  • Three keynote addresses
  • Wednesday Pre-Sessions
  • Transition to the Common Core Standards
  • English Language Proficiency (WIDA & ACCESS for ELLS)
  • ACT Plus Writing

Conference Presentations

Spring 2013 Assessment Transitions PDF Document

CRT and CRT-Alternate

CRT Presentations

CRT What's New and Review:
  Webinar | Powerpoint | Handouts

CRT Test Administration Training:
  Powerpoint | Handouts

CRT-Alternate Presentations

CRT Alternate Test Administration Training:
  Webinar | Powerpoint | Handouts

Spring 2013 CRT-Alt Administration Individualizing Materials Training
  Powerpoint

SMARTER Balanced

NEW Assesments

Identifying, Assessing, and Exiting Montana's English Language Learners

Powerpoint | Handouts

This session explored the process of identifying, serving, assessing, and exiting Montana's English language learners. The session included an overview of the WIDA assessments including screening and progress monitoring tools. Attendees explored how the definition of proficiency coincides with the results reports from the WIDA's ACCESS for ELLs and other school level assessments.

 

The Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) is aligned to Montana content standards. The Criterion-Referenced Test-Alternate (CRT-ALT) is aligned to Alternative Achievement Standards (AAS). Students in grades 3-8 and 10 take the CRT or CRT-ALT in reading and math. Students in grades 4, 8, and 10 take the CRT in science. The data on test results and participation are available on the Montana Report Card site and the GEMS site.

2012-13 Upcoming and Important Dates

Registration Windows
* For Students Eligible for the 2013 CRT-Alternate
* Including Students who Participated in the 2012 CRT-Alternate
October 8 – December 3, 2012 For students currently enrolled in your school
January 2 - 15, 2013 For students who enroll in your school after December 3, 2012
After January 15, 2013 For students who enroll after January 15, 2013, please contact Judy Snow, 406-444-3656, jsnow@mt.gov
Testing Windows
February 19, 2013 CRT-Alternate Test Window Open
March 4, 2013 CRT Test Window Open

Test Administration

CRT Test Administration

CRT-Alt Test Administration

crt and crt-alt printable documents

Math Reference Sheets

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 10

crt and crt-alt test administration

Training

Spring 2013 Assessment Transitions

CRT Training Materials

2012-13

CRT Test Administration Training:
  Powerpoint | Handouts

CRT What’s New and Review:
  Webinar | Powerpoint

CRT Test Administrator Training:
  PowerPoint | Handouts

2011-12 Spring

CRT Test Administration Training
  Powerpoint

CRT and CRT-Alt Materials
 Powerpoint

CRT-Alt Training Materials

2012-13

CRT-Alt Test Administration Training:
  Webinar | Powerpoint
  Handouts

CRT-Alt Administration Individualizing MaterialsTraining (spring 2013):
  Powerpoint

2011-12 Spring

CRT-Alt Administration Training
  Powerpoint

CRT and CRT-Alt Materials
 Powerpoint

CRT Tests

2012-13

March 4 - March 26 CRT Testing Window Grades 3-8 and 10, Reading and Math;
Grades 4, 8 and 10, Science

CRT Test Development

Glossary of Standard Setting Terms

Performance & Achievement Descriptors

Performance & Achievement Descriptors by Grade:

 

 3 Reading Math
 4 Reading Math
 5 Reading Math
 6 Reading Math

 7 Reading Math
 8 Reading Math
10 Reading Math

Specifications & Blueprints

Montana CRT Design:

Technical Manuals and Reports

 

Released Items

2012 Released Items by grade:

The CRT and CRT Alternate are aligned to the standards that are listed and linked below. In November 2011, the Montana Board of Public Education approved a new set of standards, the Montana Common Core Standards. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium assessment will be aligned to the Common Core Standards. The first assessment measuring those standards will be implemented in the spring of 2015

2012 CRT Math Vocabulary Lists

Grade MCCS Field Test Items CRT Items MCCS & CRT answers
3 Released Items Released Items Answer Key
4 Released Items Released Items Answer Key
5 Released Items Released Items Answer Key
6 Released Items Released Items Answer Key
7 Released Items Released Items Answer Key
8 Released Items Released Items Answer Key
10 Released Items Released Items Answer Key

 

2011 Released Items by grade:

The CRT and CRT Alternate are aligned to the standards that are listed and linked below. In November 2011, the Montana Board of Public Education approved a new set of standards, the Montana Common Core Standards. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium assessment will be aligned to the Common Core Standards. The first assessment measuring those standards will be implemented in the spring of 2015.

2011 CRT Math Vocabulary Lists

 3 Answer Key Released Items
 4 Answer Key Released Items
 5 Answer Key Released Items
 6 Answer Key Released Items

 7 Answer Key Released Items
 8 Answer Key Released Items
10 Answer Key Released Items

2007 Sample Items by Grade:

Science: Grade 4 | Grade 8 | Grade 10

2007 Released Items by Grade:

 

Grade Answer Keys Released Items
    Multiple Choice
 Constructed Response
 3 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
 4 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
 5 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
 6 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
 7 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
 8 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
  * Reading Answer Key corrected and replaced July 31, 2007
10 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
* Math Answer Key corrected and replaced July 31, 2007

2006 Math Reference Sheets by Grade:

Grades: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10

2006 Released Items by Grade:

Math Vocabulary for Grades 3-8 and 10

Grade Answer Keys Released Items
    Multiple Choice
 Constructed Response
 3 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
 4 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
 5 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
 6 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
 7 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
 8 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
10 Math Reading Math & Reading Math Reading

 

2005 Sample Items by Grade:

Grade 3: Reading | Math

Grade 5: Reading | Math

Grade 6: Reading | Math

Grade 7: Reading | Math

2005 Released Items by Grade:

 

Grade Answer Keys Released Items
    Common Released Constructed Response
 4   Reading Math & Reading Math Reading
 8     Math & Reading Math Reading
10 Math   Math & Reading Math Reading

Accommodations

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.

 

Alignment

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.  

 

CRT-Alternate Tests

Registration windows for students eligable for the 2013 CRT-Alternate
Including students who participated in the 2012 CRT-Alternate

October 8 - December 3, 2012 For students currently enrolled in your school
January 2 - January 15, 2013 For students who eroll in your school after
December 3, 2012
After January 15, 2013 For students who eroll in your school after January 13, 2013, please contact Judy Snow, 406.444.3656

Benchmarks

Science CRT-Alternate Beta Test Memo

Extended Benchmarks

Performance & Achievement Descriptors by Grade:

 

 3 Reading Math
 4 Reading Math
 5 Reading Math
 6 Reading Math

 7 Reading Math
 8 Reading Math
10 Reading Math

CRT-Alternate Technical Manuals & Reports

Test Results

Student Reports

September 2013

Printed individual student reports will be mailed from Measured Progress to Test Coordinators for destribution to parents/guardians. Systems can expect to recieve them by September 13.

Sample student Reports

CRT Samples

Grades: 4 | 8 | 10

CRT-Alternate Samples

Grades: 4 | 8 | 10

MARS Login

MARS is the online reporting tool for the CRT and CRT-Alternate. All summary reports will be on MARS. No printed summary reports will be mailed.

 MARS Website

MARS Webinars

Content Standards

The Spring 2010 and 2011 CRT and CRT-Alternate are aligned to the previous Reading and Math content standards.  Because item development for new standards takes two school years, the Reading and Math content standards that are online on the following link will be aligned to the Spring 2012 CRT and CRT-Alternate;  Montana Content Standards

Until then, the standards on this site are the previous standards and should be used with the Spring 2010 and 2011 released items and MARS data.

The current Science CRT and CRT-Alternate are aligned to the current Science standards.  They are included on this site for convenience; however, they are also at Montana Content Standards

Interpretation of Results

Interpretive Guides

 

CRT-OPI Reporting Center

The OPI Reporting Center replaces IRIS for reporting CRT data. To access the CRT Simple Search, select the OPI Reporting Center button below and then under the Assessment menu item, select CRT Simple Search. To access CRT Secure Search select the Log In button and enter your ID and password, as you did before with the IRIS Secure Search. After you log in, CRT Secure Search will appear under the Assessment menu item.

 OPI Reporting Center

NRT-IRIS

IRIS is being retired and has been replaced by the OPI Reporting Center.

IRIS will not have CRT data more recent than the 2008 - 2009 school year. You will still need to use IRIS to access NRT data from 2000 - 2001 to 2006 - 2007. You will need to select Assessment (NRT) then NRT Simple Search. The filter criteria fields take a moment to load, so please be patient!

 IRIS Reporting

In addition to the participation of limited English proficient (LEP) students in the statewide CRT assessment, an annual assessment of English language proficiency (ELP) for limited English proficient students is required.

Criteria for Identification of Limited English Proficiency & Definition of Proficient

2012-13

October 12, 2012 Deadline for school LEP program data to be entered into AIM
November 6, 2012 OPI orders tests and barcode labels for systems and schools
November 28, 2012 Systems receive ACCESS test materials shipped by MetriTech*
January 16, 2013 Additional materials ordering deadline
December 3, 2012 - January 29, 2013 Planned testing window for ACCESS for ELLs®
February 5, 2013 Deadline for systems to ship return materials to MetriTech*

It is important for districts to review the results of the 2011-2012 ACCESS for ELLs® assessment and take them into consideration when updating the status of LEP students.

  • The results reports from the 2011-12 MontCAS ELP assessment (ACCESS for ELLs®) were mailed to System Test Coordinators on 8/31/12 and should have begun arriving by 9/7/12.
  • LEP status must be updated in AIM by 10/12/12 in order for testing materials to be accurately ordered.
  • The new guidance document: Criteria for Identification of Limited English Proficiency & Definition of Proficient along with the results reports and school assessments will guide you in making LEP status decisions. JUMP, October 2012 Page 4
  • For more information on entering students in AIM the following link will take you to a useful cheat sheet: LEP students PDF

Updates and Important Information

 

World-Class Instruction Design and Assessment (WIDA) Consortium

The World-Class Instruction Design and Assessment (WIDA) Consortium is a coalition of state departments of education that acts in collaboration to research, design and implement a standards-based educational system that promotes equitable educational opportunities for students with Limited English Proficiency in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.  As a member of WIDA, OPI will be a member of the governing board that makes decisions about test development and research to improve both the instruction and assessment of LEP students.  More information about WIDA is online at www.wida.us

Montana educators have access to:

  • W-APT, a placement test for determining appropriate initial placement of students with limited English Proficiency 
  • WIDA professional development opportunities scheduled through OPI
  • Research resources to inform state policy decisions
  • Member pricing on WIDA products, such as the resource guides
  • WIDA Help Desk
  • Serving on Consortium-wide committees, such as item review teams
  • On-line test administrator training

ACCESS for ELLs & ACCESS for ELLs Alternate

ACCESS for ELLs

ACCESS for ELLs Alternate

2012-13

Manuals, Guides & Help
Participation Criteria Decision Tree

 

Professional Development

Identifying, Assessing, and Exiting Montana's English Language Learners

Powerpoint | Handouts

2013 Assessment Conference
This session explored the process of identifying, serving, assessing, and exiting Montana's English language learners. The session included an overview of the WIDA assessments including screening and progress monitoring tools. Attendees explored how the definition of proficiency coincides with the results reports from the WIDA's ACCESS for ELLs and other school level assessments.

ACCESS for ELLs Test Administration Training

Overview of Alternate ACCESS for ELLs

Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Test Administration Training

September 2012 ELP JUMP Newsletter

Webinar | Handouts

This is a recording covering the content of the live webinar of 9.27.12 and 10.1.12. Topics covered include: English language learner acronyms; the ACCESS for ELLs timeline; accessing resources, W-APT testing materials, and trainings on the WIDA website; and using the ACCESS for ELLs score reports to determine LEP status.

 

 

Gear Up MontanaOn Tuesday, April 23, 2013, all Montana juniors will have the opportunity to take the ACT Plus Writing on a school day in their high schools. The test will be provided for these students without cost. The Montana GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) Program received a $28 million grant to fund the ACT-Plus Writing for the next 6 years.

 

2013

April 23, 2013 ACT Plus Writing Test
April 23 - May 7, 2013 ACT Plus Writing Accommodation Test
May 7, 2013 ACT Plus Writing Makeup Test

Test Administration

2012-13

2013 ACT Test Administration Training PowerPoints

Spring 2013 ACT Plus Writing Administration Brush Up
This webinar is required for all Montana public high schools participating in the ACT Plus Writing state testing in 2013. The webinar gives a reminder for important dates and deadlines and highlights common pitfalls that should be avoided during the administration of the ACT Plus Writing.

ACT Test Aministration Training Printable Documents:
Test administration training and information for the 2013 Montana ACT Plus Writing is provided in pdf versions of Power Point slides. Each page includes a slide and the notes that explain the information on the slide. They are available in both color and black and white. The material is organized into three parts.

Color

Black & White

2011-12

 

Resources

2012-13

ACT PLUS WRITING

MontCAS Presents three prerecorded webinars and accompanying handouts and materials on writing on the ACT Plus writing. These webinars and materials may be used independently or in learning communities. They will also be the foundation for an online class tentatively scheduled to start in Spring and/or Summer 2013. Please check back at this site for updates on the class dates. MontCAS Presents page. Course Syllabus

  1. Module 1-ACT Writing
    Handout: 2012-13 Module 1 ACT Writing
  2. Module 2- ACT Writing
    Handout: 2012-13 Module 2 ACT Writing
  3. Module 3 ACT Writing
    Handouts:
    2012-13 Module 3 ACT Writing
    Paper A
    Paper B
    Paper C
    Paper D
    Paper E
    Paper F
    Prompt for Today’s Work
    Six Point Holistic Rubric

2011-12

 

 

 

Assessment Archive Directory