Montana

Montana OPI discusses plans for next steps in new testing program

Published

1 year ago

September 16, 2023

Montana OPI discusses plans for next steps in new testing program

HELENA — Earlier this week, the Montana Office of Public Instruction released the latest batch of statewide student testing results. Next year, the test results for many school districts won’t be calculated the same way as they have been, as more are joining a pilot program for a new testing model.

“This test is a whole different mindset in recognizing where we are,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen.

This school year will be the second year for the Montana Alternative Student Testing, or MAST, pilot program, in which students take multiple small assessments, called “testlets,” throughout the year. Leaders hope the new model will provide quicker feedback and a clearer picture of how students are learning during the year.

More than 5,000 students – fifth and seventh graders from 33 school districts – participated last school year. However, they still had to take the statewide Smarter Balanced assessment at the end of the year.

That’s not going to be the case for those taking part in MAST this year. Last month, the U.S. Department of Education announced it was granting OPI’s request for a waiver, exempting participating districts from the end-of-year assessment and allowing them to focus on the testlets.

In a letter, an Education Department official said, because the new model would provide more frequent feedback, and because Montana plans to fully transition to the new model next year, “we have determined that this waiver will advance student academic achievement, especially in the context of the urgent work of academic recovery post-pandemic.”

This year, 54 school districts have decided to take part in MAST, and the pilot program will be expanded to all students from third grade to eighth grade in those districts. That will be more than 20,000 students – roughly a third of Montana’s public school students in that age range. Participating districts range from large urban schools in Billings, Great Falls and Kalispell to rural schools in places like Circle, Geyser and Rapelje. Several schools in tribal areas and on Hutterite colonies are also taking part.

“We’ve got wonderful demographics of who these students are, in order to be able to deliver a unique model of recognizing success of teaching and learning,” said Arntzen.

Arntzen says they’re moving forward with plans to have all districts in the pilot program next school year. After that, the data will be passed on to the federal government for review.

“The more that we can be transparent, the more that we can share with our federal partners what is happening with assessments, the better they will understand and maybe be more responsive to other states who’re being innovative,” Arntzen said.

The results from the testlets are available quickly at the classroom level, and the goal is to be able to combine them to show student progress at the school and district level. Arntzen said they are working on ways to compare those assessment results “apples to apples” with the ones that come from the Smarter Balanced tests.

“We are going to have to make sure that there’s some equivalency this coming year with what does it mean to have a summative score,” she said. “Two-thirds of our state is still going to take summative, but then I’ve got one-third that isn’t, so equating that is going to be important to do to really recognize success of our new model.”

The first testlet window for districts participating this year will begin Oct. 23.

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Montana

Montana senators receive committee assignments for 119th Congress

Published

3 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Montana senators receive committee assignments for 119th Congress

Micah Drew

(Daily Montanan) Montana’s soon-to-be senior U.S. Sen. Steve Daines will keep a key leadership position in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the upcoming Congress, as well as take a new position on the Foreign Relations Committee.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota on Friday announced the Senate Republican Conference committee assignments for the upcoming 119^th Congress beginning next year. Daines also will serve on the Finance and Indian Affairs committees.

“It’s an honor to serve Montanans in the U.S. Senate, and I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on these crucial committees to fight for our Montana way of life,” Daines said in a prepared statement. “President (Donald) Trump received a mandate from the American people, and with these committee assignments I’ll be working to enact the president’s agenda to unleash American energy, cut taxes, open overseas markets for Montana farmers and ranchers, improve America’s relationships abroad, bring down costs for hardworking families, secure the southern border and stem the flow of deadly drugs.”

Daines has also been the ranking member on the Subcommittee on National Parks, which he will chair in the upcoming Republican-controlled Senate.

Sen.-elect Tim Sheehy, a Navy Seal, will serve on the committees on Armed Services, on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and on Veterans’ Affairs.

Sheehy, of Bozeman, won his election to the Senate against incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, who had chaired the Veterans’ Affairs committee during the last two sessions of Congress.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Dec. 25, 2024

Published

11 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 25, 2024, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

15-26-27-30-35, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

04-10-35-42-45, Lucky Ball: 02

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

04-05-40-42-52, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

09-18-19-25, Bonus: 15

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

08-29-30-47-57, Powerball: 01

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

01-05-10-39-41

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9:00 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8:00 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Montana authors talk about state's 'political hell-raiser,' archaeology • Daily Montanan

Published

22 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Montana authors talk about state's 'political hell-raiser,' archaeology • Daily Montanan

Historian and author Marc Johnson gives a book talk next month about Burton K. Wheeler, “one of the most powerful politicians Montana ever produced,” as part of the Montana Historical Society’s lecture series.

Johnson will speak from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Touchmark, 915 Saddle Dr. in Helena. He will talk about his book, “Political Hell-Raiser: The Life and Times of Senator Burton K. Wheeler of Montana.”

“(Wheeler) came of political age amid antiwar and labor unrest in Butte, Montana, during World War I, battling Montana’s powerful economic interests and championing farmers and miners as a crusading United States attorney,” said the announcement from the Montana Historical Society. “Wheeler went on to become one of the most influential, and controversial, members of the United States Senate during three of the most eventful decades in American history.”

Also in January, author and University of Montana archaeology professor Douglas MacDonald will discuss his “Land of Beginnings: The Archaeology of Montana’s First Peoples.”

The book talk takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Lewis & Clark Library, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch in Helena.

“While researchers have learned a great deal about the origins of the first people to call this region home, questions remain about which route or routes they took and when they made this journey,” said the Montana Historical Society about the book talk.

The organization also said the Original Governor’s Mansion will be open for free guided tours at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26, and on Saturday, Dec. 28.

“The Queen Anne-Style mansion will be decorated for the holiday season through the weekend with surprises for visitors of all ages,” said the announcement.

For more information, contact Darby Bramble at [email protected].

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