Proctor Training

1. Proctor Training Thank you for serving as a proctor in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools testing program! 2012-2013

2. What is a proctor? • North Carolina requires all test sessions to have a school staff member give the test (a test administrator) and another adult monitor the test (a proctor) • A proctor is needed in every classroom that gives a test (a test session) The proctor’s primary role is to help the test administrator conduct a fair and uniform test administration

3. Proctor Eligibility • Age 18 or older and not a K-12 student • Cannot proctor in a classroom if you • Are related to a student in the class (child, grandchild, niece/ nephew) • Are related to or close friends with the test administrator

4. NC Testing Code of Ethics • NC policy that governs everyone in testing (including proctors) • Proctors are required to read the Testing Code of Ethics • Proctors are required to sign the Testing Code of Ethics Affidavit after training

5. NC Testing Code of Ethics • The test administrator must count and check materials out on the morning of testing and return them after testing • The test administrator must keep materials secure at all times • No person may copy, reproduce, paraphrase, or discuss the test material

6. NC Testing Code of Ethics • The test administrator and proctor must be trained before the test • The test administrator and proctor must be in the room at all times • The test administrator must read directions exactly as written in the Assessment Guide (AG) • Cannot clarify questions or indicate answers to students

7. NC Testing Code of Ethics • Report anything out of the ordinary that occurs during testing (a testing irregularity) to the school test coordinator as soon as possible • Protect confidentiality of students at all times

8. NC Testing Code of Ethics • Examples of unethical practices to be reported to the school test coordinator: • Encouraging students not to do their best • Using secure test items for instruction • Changing student responses • Explaining or paraphrasing the test directions • Sanctions: civil and criminal prosecution

9. Test Security • Test materials must be counted and checked out on the morning of testing and counted and returned after testing • The proctor cannot be alone with or handle test materials • Students cannot remove test books or answer sheets from the test session • Test books and/ or online tests are not to be read or discussed by anyone • Test books cannot be copied

10. Classroom Conditions • Minimize any distractions or interruptions that occur • Rooms must be quiet and well lit • Student desks should be cleared • Desks must be 3 feet apart and facing forward • Wall displays of test taking tips or test related content must be removed or covered

11. Classroom Conditions • Cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed in the test session • This includes proctors, test administrators, and students

12. Materials Distribution • Students are given all materials needed for the test and cannot use their own • Students may use their own No. 2 pencils • Student desks must be cleared of everything before the test begins • The test administrator must pass out materials according to the directions in the script • For example, “I am going to give each of you a blank sheet of paper”

13. Test Administration • The proctor can help students find the right place in the test book or on the answer sheet • The proctor must walk around to monitor students during the entire test • The test administrator and proctor must remain in the room during the entire test

14. Test Administration • The proctor cannot • Read the directions to students • Assist students in answering questions • Change student responses • Answer student questions • The proctor can respond to student questions by saying, “I cannot answer your question, just do your best.”

15. Student Emergencies • The proctor must remain in the room at all times unless there is an emergency • Students who have an emergency or need to go to the restroom must be escorted by a proctor or another adult • Minimize time out of the test session • Minimize disturbance to other students

16. Monitor Students • Proctors must actively monitor students during the entire test to ensure that: • Students are marking answers on the correct part of the answer sheet • Students are using a No. 2 pencil • Students who have a problem (pencil breaks, restroom break) are helped with little distraction to other students • Students have a calculator active part of the math test have a calculator

17. Monitor Students • Proctors cannot help students or indicate answers, which includes: • Telling students to look at a question again • Making a facial expression or gesture • Explaining or rephrasing any of the test

18. Accommodations • Students with special needs may have a testing accommodation documented • The proctor must be trained to monitor the accommodations in his/ her test session • In an accommodation test session, some procedures may be different than what you would expect

19. Report Irregularities • Report irregularities to the school test coordinator on the day it occurs. Examples: • Not following directions/ script in the AG • Paraphrasing test directions • Leaving students unsupervised • Giving students instruction before the test • Failing to cover/ remove wall displays • Giving students additional time • Cheating or suspected cheating

20. Report Irregularities • Examples: • Student illness or emergency • Reading or tampering with test books or answer sheets • Failing to return originally distributed number of materials • Failing to appropriately provide accommodations • External distractions (fire alarm, bell rang) • Cell phone in test session

21. Student Confidentiality • Conduct a fair test administration • Any information learned about students is private and cannot be shared with anyone, including the student or the student’s parent. For example: • Accommodations • Test scores • Specific answers to test questions • Overall test behavior

22. Proctor’s Guide available at: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/ accountability/policies/Contact your School Test Coordinator with any questions. If you have any serious concerns about the testing at your school, contact the CMS testing department at StateAndFederalPrograms@cms.k12.nc.us.