Montana: Testing Information

About MontCAS

The Montana Comprehensive Assessment System (MontCAS) includes a Criterion-Referenced Test, a Criterion-Referenced Test-Alternate, and an English Language Proficiency Test.

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.

You can find more information about the CRT at: http://opi.mt.gov/Curriculum/MontCAS/index.html#gpm1_8

You can find more information about the CRT-Alt at: http://opi.mt.gov/Curriculum/MontCAS/index.html#gpm1_9

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.

You can find more information about the ELP at: http://opi.mt.gov/Curriculum/MontCAS/index.html#gpm1_11