Less than 50% of Montana students in grades 3 to 8 meet grade-level standards in language arts and math, according to new statewide assessment results. The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) released these scores from the Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year Assessment (MAST) before Thanksgiving. State superintendent Susie Hedalen emphasized the need for improved training and student outcomes, although the new format is well received by students and provides actionable data for educators.
The statewide average showed 43.1% proficiency in language arts and 36.9% in math. While direct comparisons to past years are not possible due to the new format, these numbers are similar to the 2021-22 scores, which reflected a decline in student achievement linked to COVID-19 disruptions. Hedalen remarked, “In literacy, we are higher than in math, a trend observed for many years.”
Implemented statewide in the 2024-2025 school year after a two-year pilot, MAST uses “testlets,” smaller assessments spread over four periods, offering a “through-year assessment model.” This approach aims for prompt feedback to educators and stakeholders, enabling adjustments in teaching strategies to benefit students.
However, integrating this new testing system into classrooms presents challenges. A survey of 246 teachers revealed issues with scheduling testlets and inadequate training. Over 72% of respondents struggled to align testlets with their syllabus. Hedalen acknowledged these concerns, emphasizing the need for more professional development and collaboration with educators.
Despite initial challenges, over 35,000 students participated, with many preferring the distributed format over a single end-of-year exam. Most students felt the testlets positively impacted their learning. Hedalen advised caution with the inaugural MAST scores, noting that Montana students still perform well nationally, with eighth graders ranking 10th in math and 4th in reading proficiency.
High school ACT scores also showed record language arts proficiency since the test’s adoption in Montana. Hedalen highlighted promising trends from new early literacy programs, stating, “It is great we have a more accurate baseline on student performance, and we’re working to prepare students for college and careers, particularly in math.”
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