Testing Code of Ethics2014-2015

State and Federal TestingOffice of Accountability

Testing Code of Ethics

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Testing Code of Ethics Training• Everyone in school building should be trained• All school staff members must be trained if they will:

– Sign for test materials in the front office– Help sort test materials into bins– Serve as test administrator, proctor, or hallway monitor– Enter a test session in case of emergency (security,

custodian, etc.)• Must include TCE in each test administration training• Include everything during training; do not assume

any information is obvious

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Test SecurityNorth Carolina Testing Code of Ethics

• Test materials are to be stored in a secure, locked area with minimum access

• Minimum access includes School Test Coordinator and one other authorized staff member only

• Rekey secure testing location if needed• Secure area does not include teacher’s classroom• “Access” to test materials means handling the

materials, but does not include reviewing tests or analyzing items

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Test SecurityNorth Carolina Testing Code of Ethics

• All materials must be accounted for by the School Test Coordinator before, during, and immediately after testing

• STC must be able to track and locate missing materials at the classroom level– Use Materials Distribution Form or other method to check

materials out and back in

• Test administrator must be able to verify counts before and after distribution– Use Test Administrator’s Materials Checklist or some other

method

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Test SecurityNorth Carolina Testing Code of Ethics

• Persons with access to secure testing materials may not utilize materials for personal gain

• No person may copy, reproduce, or paraphrase the test materials in any manner– Cannot discuss the content of the test with students or with

peers

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• Secure test questions must NOT be used at any time during instruction or in resource materials (e.g. study guides)

• Materials with sample test questions must be shared with principal and STC before use

• Teachers CANNOT provide instruction related to the content being tested on test day – Cannot use test items or test information as basis for

additional review• Teachers CANNOT discuss specific items from the

tests with students or colleagues

Test Security ProceduresNorth Carolina Testing Code of Ethics

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Preparation for TestingNorth Carolina Testing Code of Ethics

• Test coordinator, test administrators, proctors, and backups must be trained before test administration

• Teachers instruct students in test-taking strategies and the Standard Course of Study (Common Core State Standards and NC Essential Standards)

• Ensure accommodations are documented in student’s plan by the deadline

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Test AdministrationNorth Carolina Testing Code of Ethics

• Test administrator and proctor present in the room at all times– Proctors are not required for W-APT

• Cannot clarify questions, provide synonyms, or indicate answers to students

• Directions read exactly as written in the script• Test all eligible students• Report all irregularities• Provide a positive test-taking climate

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Scoring, Analysis, and ReportingNorth Carolina Testing Code of Ethics

• Maintain quality control during the scoring process, ensuring accuracy and scoring consistency

• Care must be taken to ensure accurate coding of student information and data entry

• Review of answer sheets in preparation for scanning under secure conditions

• Proper data analysis for decision-making• Test scores are reported appropriately to

students, parents, legal guardians, teachers and the media

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Scoring, Analysis, and ReportingNorth Carolina Testing Code of Ethics

• Protect confidentiality of students at all times• Student scores can only be disclosed to

persons with legitimate need (ex. Parents or receiving school)

• Student scores CANNOT be sent via email• If scores need to be sent between schools

(student transfers from one school to another), a fax may be sent after verifying the receiving person is at the fax machine

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Unethical Testing PracticesNorth Carolina Testing Code of Ethics

• Encouraging students to be absent during testing

• Encouraging students not to do their best because of the purposes of the test

• Using secure test items for instruction• Changing student responses at any time• Modifying student records

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Unethical Testing PracticesNorth Carolina Testing Code of Ethics

• Reclassifying students only to avoid testing them

• Failing to provide needed accommodations during testing

• Paraphrasing test directions• Not testing all eligible students• Not reporting all Testing Violations

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SanctionsNorth Carolina Testing Code of Ethics

• Employee Letter• File Civil action against person(s) responsible

for the violation• Criminal prosecution• Suspension or revoking of professional license• Dismissal

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Sanctions- Employee Letter• If a misadministration is declared and is the fault of a

school staff member– Principal must write a letter documenting the incident and

impact on students and give to employee– Place in the employee’s file at school– Include employee’s name and OTISS irregularity #– Copy of letter must be sent to State and Federal Testing

(courier # 668- B10 or return to Scoring Center)– State and Federal Testing will track to ensure all letters are

submitted– Copy of letter will be sent from our office to Employee

Relations for inclusion in the employee’s file

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Testing Code of Ethics Training• Cover everything during training; do not assume any

information is obvious – A proctor must be present in the test session– The test administrator and proctor must be awake for the

entire test session– The test administrator must have the AG and read from

the script– Students cannot transport their own materials– A parent cannot proctor for their own student– Study guides cannot be provided to students on the

morning of the test– Test taking tips/ content cannot be taped to student desks– Test administrators/ proctors cannot have cell phones

visible or in use during the test session

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Testing Environment• No instructional activity related to tested content• No large-scale administrations

– Cafeteria, gymnasium, etc.• Visitors are prohibited • Wall displays must be covered or removed

– “Tips for Taking Tests,” word lists, word walls, definitions, writing formulas, multiplication tables, and mathematical formulas/theorems

– Hallways and classrooms in use during testing– Failure to cover/remove = misadministration

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Testing Environment• Must be quiet, orderly, and well lit• Student must be able to see all necessary test

materials clearly• Seating must be arranged to discourage

cheating• Only NCDPI approved materials permitted• No food, drink, candy, multiplication tables,

mp3 players, cameras, cell phones, etc.

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Eating/ Drinking During TestingFood and drinks are not allowed during testing except:

A student with diabetes (or other medical condition) may eat and/or drink during state test administrations in accordance with his “routine

medical regimen of care”

• Care should be taken to ensure this does not interfere with other students during test administrations

• Section 504 Plan is not required

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Prohibited Items in the Test Room

• All cell phones/ electronic devices prohibited• Test Administrators and Proctors

– Cannot have cell phone powered on or visible during testing

– Report to State and Federal Testing for decision

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Students– Cannot have cell phone on their person during testing (should

store with belongings)– Must be dismissed from testing and a misadministration

declared• If student is caught with an electronic device (on their person)

during testing or a break:– Student must be dismissed– STC investigates the device if it may have been used during testing– Incident entered into OTISS– Misadministration is declared by LEA TC– Student will be re-administered the EOC on another form

letter/number

Prohibited Items in the Test Room

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• STC must maintain an active NCID account to report irregularities in OTISS

• Report all irregularities in OTISS immediately • ALL irregularities MUST be reported on the same day of

occurrence• Test Administrator must receive training on local system

(school procedures) for reporting testing irregularities • LEA TC will decide if the testing irregularity constitutes a

misadministration– All misadministered materials must be brought to your

scheduled check-in at the Scoring Center• All retests for misadministrations must be completed

within the testing window

Irregularities/Misadministrations

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Testing Code of Ethics Affidavit• Read through Testing Code of Ethics• Sign Testing Code of Ethics Affidavit