Montana

When are students tested? 1
4th grade
8th grade
11th grade

What subjects are tested? 1
Language Arts
Reading
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies

What types of questions are used? 1
Multiple choice

How are test results used? 1
Curriculum planning
Improvement of instruction
Program evaluation

What tests are used? 1
Districts may choose between 3 norm-referenced standardized tests (most recent versions)
approved by the Board of Public Education:
- Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (grades 4, 8, 11)
- Iowa Test of Basic Skills (grades 4, 8, 11)
- Stanford Achievement Test (grades 4, 8, 11)

Are students with disabilities exempt? 2, 3
Exemptions given to students for whom assessment with accommodations would still not allow for
adequate measurement of attainment of educational goals, as determined by the IEP team.
 
What accommodations are available so that students with disabilities can participate? 2
Accommodations available as recommended by IEP team.
Accommodations must be similar to those used in instructional setting.

How are scores of students with disabilities reported? 2
School, district, and statewide reports combine ("aggregate") scores of students with and without disabilities.
In the future, school, district, and statewide reports will both combine ("aggregate") and separate ("disaggregate") scores of students with and without disabilities.

Footnotes:

1 Source: PEER Project Survey to expand and update information from Annual Survey of State Student Assessment Programs: Data on 1995-96 Statewide Student Assessment Programs. (Fall 1996). Council of Chief State School Officers.

2 Source: PEER Project review of state policy documents. Documents provided by the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO). Information confirmed and updated by the PEER Project through direct communication with state officials.

3 NOTE: The IDEA Amendments of 1997 require that all students be included in statewide assessments.


Office of Public Instruction
Division of Special Education
P.O. Box 202501
Helena, MT 59620-2501
406-444-4429
406-444-3924
www.opi.mt.gov/
Contact: Robert Runkel, Administrator
brunkel@opi.mt.gov
Dori Nielson, State Assessment Directory
406-444-3656

Montana Parent Center on Disability
Parents Let’s Unite for Kids
1500 North 30th St., Room 183
Special Education Building
Billings, MT 59101-0298
406-657-2055
1-800-222-7585 in MT
406-657-2061 Fax
PLUKMT@aol.com
Contact: Katharin Kelker

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