Montana: Comparing schools and districts based on student proficiency

The information below reflects the most recent data available to us; please contact us with questions or to request additional analyses.

School Performance in Montana

Analysis: Comparing schools and districts on third grade proficiency in reading and math
The charts linked below allow you to compare schools and districts in Montana with their peers. The Y (vertical) axis shows the percentage of proficient 3rd graders in a subject; the X (horizontal) axis shows the percentage of students who qualify for the free or reduced rate lunch program, a common indicator of poverty in schools.

Available charts:

Note: In the case of missing percentages for proficiency, ECF estimated the missing numbers in the proportions suggested by the state NAEP distribution.

Note: Montana began using the Smarter Balanced assessment in 2016.  The Smarter Balanced assessment results are not comparable to previous years’ assessment results.

naep-v-states-4th-grade-readingComparing Montana’s Proficiency Standards to the National “Gold Standard” (NAEP) 
Each state defines for itself what “proficient” means; some states have a rigorous definition, while others are less strict in their standards. To see how states compare, ECF has published charts showing the percentage of students deemed proficient in various subjects and grade levels and compared them to percentages reported for each state by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP, or “The Nation’s Report Card”), considered to be the gold standard.