From Bogus to Radical: Get Ready to Apply for Test Center Certification

1. From Bogus to Radical: Get Ready to Apply for Test Center Certification

2. Pilot Program • Involved a diverse group of volunteer test centers • Instrumental in developing the certification process • Some pilot sites are still working on the necessary components to qualify for certification • Developing this certification process required dedicated committee members (volunteers) willing to donate their time and offer their testing and management expertise to formulate the procedures and forms needed to evaluate test centers • We will need more volunteers to be able to evaluate test centers and offer them certification in the future.

3. Selected Standards for Certification The following eleven standards are drawn from the NCTA Professional Standards and Guidelines posted on the NCTA web site. The “Action” for each Standard represents how that Standard is to be demonstrated within the Certification Application. Mission Statement “Develop and implement a mission statement consistent with the policies and standards set forth in this document.” Action: Provide a copy of the test center’s Mission Statement which includes a reference to following the NCTA Standards and Guidelines, and the locations where it is posted.

4. More Certification Standards Adequate Facilities“Maintain adequate physical facilities and location suitable to the requirements of the testing program.” Action:Provide digital photos and annotated floor plan showing all areas of the testing center (all testing rooms, check in areas, offices, and secure test storage), and traffic flow patterns that would ensure secure and standardized testing conditions.

5. More Certification Standards Test Integrity “Protect the integrity of the test.” Action: Indicate procedures in place that demon-strate that the test center follows standardized processes for the receipt, storage, and handling of secure test material.

6. More Certification Standards Confidentiality“Protect the confidentiality and rights of privacy of examinees and staff.” Action:Submit a copy of the policies and procedures in place to protect the confidentiality and rights of privacy of examinees and staff. Test Center will have or develop a confidentiality statement that all employees have signed.

7. More Certification Standards Staff Training “Develop and implement appropriate guidelines for test center operations and staff training.” Action: Document training practices for both current and new staff. Submit a copy of the training materials in use and a copy of the test center Operations or Procedures manual with emergency procedures included.

8. More Certification Standards Program Evaluation“Evaluate the testing program in an on-going, systematic, and comprehensive manner.” Action: Outline the steps taken to evaluate the testing program. An annual report is required and should include comparing volumes/revenue over time, results of examinee satisfaction surveys, and departmental work objective/goals. List how evaluations are conducted and results are used.

9. More Certification Standards Contracts Maintain agreements with test providers. (paraphrased) Action: List individuals who are involved in the review, implementation, and compliance of contracts and agreements. Indicate the location of stored contracts.

10. More Certification Standards Testing Manager There is an “accountable manager … responsible for the appropriate administration of testing programs.” Action: Identify the staff person who is responsible for the oversight of the testing program on campus. Identify his/her reporting line and provide a copy of the job description.

11. More Certification Standards Test Center Staff Proctors and support staff working on behalf of the testing program have defined roles and receive instruction related to their responsibilities. Their work is monitored and evaluated. (paraphrased) Action: List all positions involved in the testing program along with assigned responsibilities. Provide copies of the job descriptions or outlines of the assigned duties. Describe practices in place for monitoring and evaluating their work.

12. More Certification Standards Services “The testing program will be represented at various levels within the organizational structure. As needs are identified, the program will make these needs, and the resources required, known to the appropriate personnel and offices in the institution.” Action: Submit an organizational structure within which the testing program resides (chart and/or text). List the services provided by the test center.

13. More Certification Standards Public Relations “… Implement appropriate public relations activities on behalf of the test center.” Action:Describe the public relations and communi-cation activities that support the test center. Include published schedules, press releases, links to web pages, and/or any documents that communicate the testing services provided. Test centers will have or develop a general brochure/flyer listing all of its services.

14. Test Center Certification Application • When the Certification process is launched, interested test centers will fill out a Pre-Application. Limited numbers of Pre-Apps will be accepted in each cycle, and there will be several cycles each calendar year. • From the completed Pre-Apps, centers with most of the requirements completed will be sent a Certification Application to complete. • Advisors will be available to answer questions and help test centers get information they need to complete the Certification Application. Let’s look at some Samples.

15. Thank you for your interest in Test Center Certification. Please seek out any TCC Committee member to answer individual questions. Committee members are: • Duane Goupell, Chair • Nancy O’Shea • Steve Saladin • Buck Setter • Roberto Voci • Gayle Veltman (gveltman@cox.net) at Wichita State U. • Theresa Scott (tscott24@fau.edu) at Florida Atlantic U. • Vicki Black (vcblack@memphis.edu)at U. of Memphis