Summative Test Scores are Embargoed for Districts Review until September 12th, 2023

• Brian O'Leary
• September 01 2023

Superintendent Arntzen is embargoing summative test scores for district review starting Tuesday, September 5th through September 12^th. This embargoed release is the state comprehensive review of all 3^rd through 8^th grades plus the 11^th grade ACT. Individual district scores were released to each school before the close of the school year in late spring of 2023.

The comprehensive review of 76,000 students tested:

• Math; grades 3-8
• English Language Arts (ELA); grades 3-8
• Science Assessment for grades 5-8;
• 11^th grade ACT; and
• Alternative results in math, reading, and science assessment.

“Allowing individual districts to compare their students’ progress with the state aggregate scores aids them in planning for success during the new school year,” said Superintendent Arntzen.  “As a classroom teacher, I used this as a benchmark to improve my math and teaching lessons each day.”

School districts will gain access to official statewide data as of Tuesday, September 5 through Montana's Statewide Longitudinal Data System (GEMS) website. This data access privilege will continue until September 12, at which point the information will be made available to the general public through the GEMS website.

The dedicated Assessment Unit at the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) stands ready to support school districts during the embargo period. To facilitate this, the unit will be offering office hours to districts seeking assistance. Those interested in accessing this valuable resource can find detailed scheduling information, along with the Zoom Link, on the Montana Comprehensive Assessment System webpage.

As a reminder, Montana was granted a one year federal waiver to school districts to not deliver the summative test in the 2023-24 school year if they participated in the Montana Alternative Test Pilot (MAST) program.  This is the 2nd year of the program with over 20,000 students testing in small 10-15 minute “testlets” through the course of the school year. Immediate feedback is given directly to parent, student, and teacher through the MAST program.