OPI presents proposed 5001 elementary licensure test and recommended cut scores to board

Office of Public Instruction accreditation manager Crystal Andrews told the Montana Board of Public Education on May 15 that Montana educator preparation programs would like to offer the 5001 elementary education multiple-subject test, which is divided into four subtests. Andrews reported expert-panel recommended qualifying scores and practice-working-committee support for each subtest: math 157 (panel unanimous), reading/language arts 157 (panel unanimous), science 159 (panel discussion led to a recommended 159), and social studies 155 (panel unanimous).

Andrews said panels reviewed each subtests content, timing and question counts; the current single test runs about 150 minutes with 140 questions, while the new structure increases questions because content is split into subtests. She and an ETS representative noted the benefit that candidates may take subtests separately and retake only failed subtests, which can reduce cost and allow targeted remediation. "They can be taken at any time; you don't have to take them all at once," Andrews said, summarizing the practical benefit.

The practice working committee unanimously supported the panel recommendations; Andrews said the Montana Council of Deans will be asked to vote (via email/Qualtrics) because that council will not meet in person until August. If the Council of Deans endorses the recommendations, Andrews said she will bring a recommendation to the board for consideration at the July meeting.

Board members asked about total testing time and how the subtest model compares to secondary test timing; presenters said two subject-area tests typically run three to four hours combined and that the subtest approach can be comparable while offering better diagnostic feedback. A board member asked whether candidates who fail a subtest must retake the full series; presenters confirmed candidates need only retake the failed subtest.