Article Summary –
Public schools in Montana are transitioning from annual end-of-year tests to multiple smaller assessments, or “testlets”, spread throughout the school year. This new approach, piloted in around 60 districts over the last two years, will be rolled out statewide from fall 2022. Proponents of the move argue that it allows for timely identification of students’ academic strengths and weaknesses, while critics have raised concerns about the length of the tests, student fatigue, and whether results are delivered quickly enough for teachers to adjust their instruction.
Revamping Student Assessments: Montana’s New Testing Approach
Gone are the back-to-back weeks of end-of-year assessments at Missoula’s Hellgate Elementary School District, Montana. The school year is now interspersed with scaled-down tests to measure students’ competence in math and reading in a timely fashion. Despite a few hiccups, the teachers responded positively, praising the faster feedback and the ability to adjust instruction based on student proficiency.
This innovative testing approach piloted in Hellgate and other Montana districts, will soon be expanded statewide. The Office of Public Instruction is preparing to replace the traditional single test with multiple assessments known as testlets throughout the academic year, according to Julie Murgel, OPI Chief Operating Officer.
These modules, crafted in line with state subject-area standards, are designed to assess a bundle of instructional standards when taught. While they must be given within certain timeframes, they’ll offer flexibility to align with local lesson plans.
The Federal Waiver and Pilot Program
Recognizing Montana’s commitment to improving student assessments, the U.S. Department of Education granted a one-year waiver to accommodate OPI’s pilot project. The goal is to revamp assessments to facilitate student recognition of academic growth and enable teachers to shape instruction based on timely results.
While there’s been debate about the traditional end-of-year testing model, critics argue that the results arrive too late to be of practical use. Montana’s pilot program aims to counter these issues and aligns with the national conversation for student assessment reform.
Varying Feedback and Future Improvements
Despite receiving some criticism about testlet length and feedback turnaround time, school officials remain hopeful that these concerns will be addressed as the system is fine-tuned. Nonprofit assessment company New Meridian is working with OPI to improve the system.
Merging local needs with state standards and federal requirements is a primary driver for revisiting Montana’s approach to testing. While these changes will not impact high school testing or administration of the ACT, the state is beginning to consider changes at the high school level due to shifting cost administration.
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