Beth Judy, Coordinator WVDE 1

Test Security

Policy 2340West Virginia Measures of Academic

Progress (WV MAP)

Beth Judy, Coordinator WVDE 2

Testing Security and Copyright Violations Facts

• The overwhelming number of persons involved in testing do not break security procedures.

• Violations occur in less than 1% of testing situations.

• Suspected violations must be reported immediately.

• Anonymous reporting of violations is better than not reporting.

• Reporting of violations should follow the order in Policy 2340.

• All reports will result in an investigation by the WVDE.

TEST SECURITY• As per West Virginia

Board Policy 2340, county school personnel shall establish and implement procedures to ensure maximum test security and limit involvement to school personnel.

Test Security

Any individual who administers or handles the test materials at the school shall acknowledge that all assessments within the West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress are secure tests by reviewing, signing and returning the West Virginia Board of Education Test Procedures Agreement for Examiner to the school principal by the date established by the principal. This signed agreement must be on file with the principal.

TEST SECURITY

• Before each test administration, materials must be distributed according to instructions provided with the test.

• Tests must be secured at all times during test administration, including any break times.

• Unused test materials shall be returned to a locked and secured area as soon as practical.

• All test booklets (used and unused) must be counted, reconciled, and returned to a centrally located, locked and secure area following each daily testing session.

• The test administration area shall be maintained in a secure manner to include only those students to whom the assessment is being administered and the examiners.

Test Security

Apart from the scheduled test administration to students, use of test booklets and copying the booklets or excerpts from the booklets is inappropriate and unethical. Violation may result in severe penalties, including but not limited to, revocation of professional license.

Test Security

All student test data will be stored in a locked and secured area. Student test data will be maintained under conditions consistent with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

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Should Do

Store in a locked and secured central location.

Should Not Do

Leave on desk unattended

Put in unlocked cabinet or room

Take the test(s) out of the building

Throw test booklets away

Reproduce in any manner

Ethical Testing Practices

• Test booklets or questions shall not be reproduced or paraphrased in any manner.

• No portion of student responses to any item shall be kept, copied or reproduced.

Ethical Testing Practices

• Personnel responsible for the testing program shall be properly instructed in the appropriate test administration procedures.

• No one shall violate test security or the accuracy of the test data score results by manipulating the test administration, demographic data or the students’ answers or data.

Ethical Testing Practices

• The examiners shall not use any specific information from the secure test questions to review students, create review worksheets, or any other aids that would improve students’ test scores without improving the underlying knowledge base.

• Specific information, as specified by the test manual, shall not be displayed in the room during test administration.

• Only references or tools specifically designated in test manuals are provided.

Ethical Testing Practices• Test materials are not in the building more

than one week prior to testing.

• Testing, including make-ups, must occur during the testing window.

• Access to test booklets and answer sheets shall be restricted to the test administration period.

Test Administration

• Tests shall be administered only during the testing window established by the West Virginia Board of Education.

Test Administration

• Examiners must be educators employed by the county, RESA or state.

• Examiners of standardized tests shall rigorously follow the appropriate administrative procedures as directed in the test’s administration manuals.

• All examiners shall strive to create a positive testing environment.

Test Administration

• Students shall not have prior access to test questions.

• Examiners shall limit assistance to students to issues concerning the mechanical aspects of marking answers, clarifying directions, and finding the right place on answer sheets. Examiners shall not indicate answers or point out the rationale of an item.

Test Administration

• Accommodations as appropriate for students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 Plans shall be provided as established in their plans.

• Students and examiners shall be monitored to ensure that appropriate test taking and test security procedures are followed.

Test Procedures Agreement• Obtain a copy of the West Virginia Board

of Education Test Procedures Agreement For Examiner.

• Read, sign and date the agreement.• Return signed document to the Principal.

Investigation of Security Violation

(Policy 2340 §126-14-8)

Review/Train all superintendents, county office staff, principal, test administrators, and examiners on investigation process

to avoid policy violations.

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• Hierarchy of reporting testing violations:Principal

County Test Coordinator

Office of International Schools

• NOTE: Violations can be reported directly to the WVDE.

Reporting of Security Violations

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• It is important that violations are reported immediately!

• If scores are invalidated, retesting must occur within the testing window.

Reporting of Security Violations

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• ALL complaints will be investigated.• The investigation can be done jointly with the county

or solely by the WVDE (county decision).• At a minimum, the investigation will consist of

interviews with person reporting, the alleged violator, and any other individual who may have knowledge of the incident.

• The rights of all parties involved must be protected.

Investigation of Security Violations §126-14-8

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Investigations (cont.)The investigating team will submit their findings in writing to the Office of the State Superintendent of Schools and copy the report to the county superintendent. Findings will be as follows:–There was no breach.–A breach could not be determined.–There was a breach (with possible recommendations)

–Invalidating test scores–Retesting of students with an equivalent form

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Actions

• County Superintendent will take the appropriate employment action and so notify the State Superintendent of Schools.– No action taken– Suspension by county board,– Termination by county board,– Other

• Action against teaching license taken by State Superintendent of Schools.

TEST SECURITYMaintaining proper test security ensures an appropriate test administration and accurate

results for all students!