Test Design and Development

The Creation of Our New Statewide Science Assessments

Do you have questions about the development of Montana's assessment plan, the design of the summative tests, or the process used to develop the items? The resources below provide detailed information about our transition to assessments that measure achievement of the 2016 Montana Content Standards for Science. If you want to get involved in future activities, we'd love to have you. Check out this description of upcoming opportunities for K-12 science educators.

Test Development Updates

ACT Science

  • ACT Science is part of ACT with Writing, administered to all juniors every spring. ACT develops new items and test forms continually.

  • ACT will be administered online started Spring 2023.

MSA

    • 2020 Federal Reporting Waiver was approved, but the census field test was cancelled due to school closures.

    • 2021: A field test was administered. Item validation and data review is taking place within the OPI.

    • Spring 2022: The operational test was administered

    • Fall 2022: Scores from the first operational assessment are available via the Reporting System on the testing portal.

AMSA

  • 2020 Federal Reporting Waiver was approved, but the operational field test was cancelled due to school closures.

  • 2021: A field test was administered. Item validation and data review is taking place within the OPI.

  • Spring 2022: The operational test was administered

  • Fall 2022: Scores from the first operational assessment are available via the Reporting System on the testing portal.


Test and Item Development Process

VIDEO: The Test Development Process

How are assessments created? The video above describes the multi-year test development cycle and the complex set of factors that come into play during test development.

Test Specifications

Video: Montana's Science Assessment Vision

Item Specifications

VIDEO: Item Specification Overview

These guidelines are used by item writers to create items that engage and challenge students while gathering data to support instruction.

  • MSA Item Specifications

  • AMSA Item Specifications

Transition Background

VIDEO: Montana's Science Transition

This plan was envisioned by science educators and stakeholders from across Montana.