Mark Your Calendars for the 2021 ASSIST Conference!

States and school districts are facing new challenges and opportunities as they navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we are unable to host the 2021 ASSIST Conference in-person the Montana Office of Public Instruction remains committed to supporting the use of high-quality assessment to advance student learning. The OPI’s Assessment Unit of the Teaching and Learning Department is pleased to offer the upcoming 2021 ASSIST Conference. The OPI supports teaching and learning through the Montana Comprehensive Assessment System (MontCAS), which includes a suite of required state assessments aligned to Montana’s academic content standards. Data literacy and its direct influence in guiding instruction, alongside a balanced approach including the use of formative and interim strategies ensures all children have fair and equitable opportunities to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging academic content standards. Join us in celebrating over 16 years of excellence!

 

 

This conference is designed to help persons involved with MontCAS receive technical assistance to administer the state-required assessments. The focus of this year's conference will be on assisting schools with the unique challenges and conditions of test administration across the state and sharing best practices to provide opportunities to strengthen data use. Attendance is important to have ‘just-in-time’ trainings to prepare schools for the upcoming assessments, provide critical updates since last year, and access to rich professional learning centered on Montana’s initiatives. Below are OPI’s initiatives to prepare students for success. You can learn more about the initiatives here.

 

 

Who Should Attend
System Test Coordinators, School Leaders (e.g., Superintendents, Principals, District Administrative Staff, Curriculum Directors, etc.), and Educators (e.g., general and special education teachers). Other interested community members are also welcome to attend the event.
 
When and Where is the Event
The OPI will conduct the ASSIST Conference virtually using Zoom software and attendees are encouraged to attend the full two-days to meet the diverse local testing needs. The virtual conference will begin at 8:00 AM each day and conclude at 3:30 PM. There will be five 60-minute sessions, two networking times, and breaks scheduled throughout the day. Each session will offer three different strands with unique content to choose from. Planned networking time is intended to foster critical partnerships with stakeholders to build strong local assessment and data practices.
 

Day

Time

Thursday, January 28, 2021

8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Friday, January 29, 2021

8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

 
What is the Conference Program
We look forward to hosting a range of sessions including, but not limited to, current practices, such as building local comprehensive balanced assessment systems to support teaching and learning, as well as highlighting what's new in 2021! Sessions will feature varied topics to meet these six objectives:
  • Mentor schools through the local responsibilities and roles related to administering assessments with fidelity.
  • Share data that educators and school systems can use to make decisions and leverage resources to improve instruction.
  • Broaden understanding of achievement data, accountability measures, and resources to support best practices.
  • Provide meaningful, timely, accurate, understandable, and transparent achievement results to various stakeholders.
  • Advance teaching and learning through the implementation of balanced systems and continuous improvement processes. 
  • Measure student learning progress and proficiency, equity, and opportunities in education across our great Montana schools. 
 
How Do I Register
Standard registration for this conference closed on Friday, January 22 nd.  If you are hoping to attend the conference and have not yet registered, please review the conference materials using the resources linked below and fill out the Session Selection Form

 

Build Your Conference Experience!

 

 
Conference Resources
  • Draft Agenda - Use this draft agenda for travel approval purposes prior to the release of the final session agenda. 
  • Get READY for 2021! Conference Program - The full conference program with descriptions of session presentations.
  • At-A-Glance Agenda - A quick, one-page guide showing only presentation titles, locations, and times.
  • Registered participants should refer to the 2021 ASSIST Conference Site for the most up-to-date information. (Please note that information published on this page is subject to change at any time and without notice to accommodate event needs.) 
  • Full Conference Program - is an alternative format of the interactive 2021 ASSIST Conference Site that you can use to print or read more about each session and presenter. 
 
 
Important Dates:

January 28-29 - Conference Dates

 
Accommodations
The OPI Assessment Unit is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need an accommodation, require an alternate format of a document, or have questions concerning accessibility, please contact the OPI Assessment Help Desk at 1.844.867.2569 or e-mail OPIAssessmentHelpDesk@mt.gov no later than January 6, 2021.
 

 

2020 ASSIST Conference Resources

Presentations from the 2020 OPI Data and Assessment Conference - ASSIST - can be found below. The conference was presented in seven strands with each strand focusing on a different aspect of assessment and data use. The resources below are listed according to the strand they were presented in for the January 2020 conference.

Best Practices - Tips and tricks and strategies

Utilizing the ASVAB to Better Prepare Your Students for Whatever Future They Want to Pursue  - presented by Master Sergeant Lawrence

Why Cultural Relevancy in Science Assessment Matters - presented by Jennifer Stadum

Culturally Relevant ACT Writing Prompts - presented by Zach Hawkins

Instructional Strategies that Engage All Learners - presented by Maria Sells

Holistic Approaches Centered in Tribal Values - presented by Donnie Wetzel

ESSA Report Card: What the Report Card can tell Parents, Educators and the Public - presented by Julie Murgel

Closing the Achievement Gap for Students Identified as Homeless - presented by Heather Denny and DJ

Targeted Track - Intensive Support for Schools who need it Most

Standards Aligned Assessment System - presented by Marisaa Graybill

Understanding Statewide Assessments/Balanced Assessment - presented by Duane Schlabach

Access to Assessment Systems - presented by Marcy Fortner

My Smarter Data - The ORS System - presented by Duane Schlabach

Engaging with the Date: Classroom to Parents - presented by Duane Schlabach

Connecting Claims, Targets and our Montana Content Standards - presented by Marissa Graybil

Interim Assessments: Smarter Balance IABs and ICAs - presented by Marissa Graybil

Formative Assessments: Smarter Balanced Digital Library - presented by Marissa Graybil

Reflection - Next Steps - presented by Julie Murgel

Voices of Experience - What's new, different, changed?

Data Dialogues: Using Data Distribution to Find and Startegize Around Achievement Gaps - presented by Karin Neff

I Got It! Now What do I do with it? - presented by Cori Krick

Smarter Balanced Formative Assessments - presented by Sandy Squillance

Prepping Yourself and Your Students for ACT English, Reading, and Writing - presented by Bridgett Paddock

A Free Montana-Based Program to Help Students Master Math and English Skills Before Assessing - presented by Ryan Schrenk

Caveon Data Forensics and Best Practices - presented by Jamie Mulkey and Ashley McGrath

Diving Deep Into ACT Math - presented by Marisa Graybill

Answering Your Questions About PreACT - presented by Travis Anderson

How To - Step-by-Step Instructions on Portals

Best Practices for TIDE: User Roles and Management - presented by Emilia Birdsall

Setting Up and Administering Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments - presented by Emilia Birdsall

TIDE: Student Test Settings - presented by Emilia Birdsall

Setting Up and Administering the Montana Science (MSA) Summative Assessments - presented by Emilia Birdsall

Best Practices: Getting Your Students Ready for the ACT Test and Beyond - presented by Jessica Eilertson

The ACT Test: What You Should Know Before and After Testing - presented by Rose Babington

What's New This Year? (SBAC/MSA/AMSA) - presented by Emilia Birdsall

Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) Test Administration Training for Test Coordinators - presented by Megan Bairstow

WIDA: Supporting Our English Learners - presented by Connie Roubinet

Data & Reporting - Collections, State and Federal Reporting, Research

WIDA: What to do with Your ACCESS for ELLs Results - presented by Connie Roubinet

Not Again! Why are We Doing This? - presented by DJ Quirinmai

2018-19 Dropout and Graduation Report - presented by Andy Boehm

GEMS Data Use and Research - presented by Robin Clausen

Developing High School Achievement Level Descriptors - presented by Chris Noel

OPI Achievement in Montana (AIM) Assessment Collections Updates - presented by Gail Harms

MontCAS Reporting: I Clicked the Submit Button - Now What? - presented by Marcy Fortner

New STC Track - The Basics, 101

Understanding Statewide Assessments/Balanced Assessments - presented by Duane Schlabach

MontCAS Policies & Procedures - presented by Shantel Niederstadt

MontCAS Test Security Course - presented by Shantel Niederstadt

Updates and Information on Accessibility and Accommodations for the Smarter Balanced Assessment - presented by Paula Schultz

Setting Up and Administering Alternate Science (AMSA) Summative Assessments - presented by Emilia Birdsall

Engaging with the Data: Classroom to Parents (Score Reports) - presented by Duane Schlabach

Identifying English Learners and Administration of the WIDA Screeners - presented by Connie Roubinet

Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) Test Administration Training for Test Coordinators - presented by Megan Bairstow

MontCAS Application - Step-byStep - presented by Marcy Fortner

Personalized Learning - Role-based, district need

Advances in Multidimensional Classroom Science Assessment Design - presneted by Charlene Turner

Formative Assessments for Science: PAO in Action - presented by Shantel Niederstadt

The Art of Collaboration: Continuous School Improvement Through Standards of Accreditation - presented by Patty Muir

Assessing the Science Standards: The New Montana Science Assessments: Part 1 - presented by Rawnie Crasco and Michelle McCarthy

Assessing the Science Standards: The New Montana Science Assessments: Part 2 - presented by Rawnie Crasco and Michelle McCarthy

Assessing the Science Standards: The New Montana Science Assessments: Part 3 - presented by Rawnie Crasco and Michelle McCarthy

Meaningful Reporting with Science (PLD) - presented by Rawnie Crasco and Michelle McCarthy

Developing K-8 Achievement Level Descriptors - presented by Chris Noel

Interested in Last Year's Conference Materials?

2019 Conference Materials

Find below presentations, slides and power points from the 2019 OPI Assessment & Data Conference sessions.

Statewide Assessment Materials

General Session Materials
ACCESS for ELLs

WIDA English Language Proficiency Assessments and Montana's English Learner Data - presented by Yvonne Field, OPI Student Support Services Division

ACT with Writing

Filling the Gaps in ACT Skill Prep with EdReady Montana - presented by Ryan Schrenk, EdReady Montana

On the Pathway to Success - presented by Heather Denny, OPI Educational Opportunity & Equity Division and DJ QuirinMai, OPI Measurement & Accountability Division
 

PreACT: All You Need to Know Before Spring 2019 Testing - presented by Rose Babington, ACT

Using ACT Data and Resources to Help Your Students Grow - presented by Rose Babington, ACT

NAEP

NAEP 2019: A Big Year - presented by Shantel Niederstadt, OPI Assessment Division

Smarter Balanced

Implementing Smarter Balanced Interims - presented by Marisa Graybill and Christy Mock-Stutz, OPI Content Standards Division

Smarter Balanced Digital Library 101 - presented by Becky Berg, Billings Public Schools

Smarter Balanced: Online Reporting System - presented by Brittany Valdez, Measured Progress

Smarter Balanced: Test Administration - presented by Bree Gunter, Measured Progress

So, You Got Some Data? - presented by Marisa Graybill, OPI Content Standards Division

New Test Coordinator Track Part 1: Understanding Statewide Assessments - presented by Ashley McGrath, OPI Assessment Division

New Test Coordinator Track Part 2: MontCAS Policies & Procedures - presented by Ashley McGrath, OPI Assessment Division

New Test Coordinator Track Part 3: Smarter Balanced Test Administration - presented by Bree Gunter, Measured Progress

New Test Coordinator Track Part 4: CRT Science and CRT-Alternate: Test Administration for New Users - presented by Bree Gunter and Kate Joyal, Measured Progress

New Test Coordinator Track Part 5: SBAC Accessibility & Accommodations for the Smarter Assessment - presented by Paula Schultz, OPI SBAC Accommodations Lead

New Test Coordinator Track Part 6: Identification of ELLs and Administration of the WIDA Screeners - presented by Yvonne Field, OPI Student Support Services Division

New Test Coordinator Track Part 7: Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA): Test Administration Training for Test Coordinators - presented by Chris Clough, Measured Progress

New Test Coordinator Track Part 8: ACT: Review and Learn What's New - presented by Rose Babington, ACT

Ad Hoc Part 1: Filters, Letters and Data Viewer - presented by Erin Drew, Infinite Campus and Gail Harms, OPI AIM Unit

Ad Hoc Part 2: Functions - presented by Erin Drew, Infinite Campus and Gail Harms, OPI AIM Unit

Building a Growth Mindset - presented by Marisa Graybill, OPI Content Standards Division

Civil Rights Data Collection - presented by Erin Drew, Infinite Campus

Early Detection of College Readiness in Montana - presented by Brett Carter, OPI Measurement & Accountability Division

Elements of Qualifying for Montana Licensure - presented by Kristine Thatcher, OPI Educator Licensure Division

Every Student Succeeds Act and Assessment - Presented by Susie Hedalen, Office of Public Instruction

Formative Assessment Practices: Connecting the Interim Assessments and the Digital Library - Presented by Pam Birkeland, OPI Digital Library Specialist

GEMS for Everyday Use - presented by Robin Clausen, OPI Measurement & Accountability Division

How to use Data Validation and Certification in Infinite Campus to Ensure Your Data is Accurate for State and Federal Funding - presented by Gail Harms and Andy Boehm, OPI AIM Unit

K-6 Informative Math Instruction - presented by Becky Berg, Billings Public Schools

Making Statewide Assessments Accessible for Students with Disabilities - presented by Yvonne Field, OPI Student Support Services

Montana's Content Standards: Past, Present, Future - Presented by Colet Bartow, OPI Content Standards  Division

Montana Dropout & Graduation Data for the 2017-18 School Year - Presented by Andy Boehm, OPI Measurement & Accountability Division

MontCAS Policy & Procedure Updates - presented by Ashley McGrath, OPI Assessment Division

OPI Data Collections: Why do We do it - Why is it Important to your School or District? - presented by Jamey Ereth, Meghann Spring and DJ QuirinMai, OPI Measurement & Accountability Division

Youth in Foster Care Facts, Tips, and Guidance - Presented by Carrie Kouba, OPI Educational Opportunity and Equity Division and DJ QuirinMai, OPI Measurement & Accountability Division

Strengthening the Meaning and Utility of Test Scores for their Intended Uses - presented by Liz Summers, edCount, LLC

Student-Centered Assessment and Feedback - presented by Chris DeWald, Jessi Anderson, and Natalee Hawks, BetterLesson

Upping the Rigor of your Math Assessments - Presented by Marisa Graybill, OPI Content, Standards & Instruction Division

Using Assessment to Enhance Writing Instruction in Your Classroom - Presented by Christy Mock-Stutz, OPI Content, Standards & Instruction Division

Using Standards to Improve Teaching and Learning - Presented by Anne Keith, Bozeman Public School District