Testing Code of Ethics 2014-2015

1. Testing Code of Ethics 2014-2015 • State and Federal Testing • Office of Accountability

2. Testing Code of Ethics

3. 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

4. Test Security North 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

5. Test Security • North 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

6. Test Security • North 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

7. Test Security ProceduresNorth Carolina Testing Code of Ethics • 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

8. Preparation for Testing • North 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

9. Test Administration • North 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

10. Scoring, Analysis, and Reporting • North 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

11. Scoring, Analysis, and Reporting • North 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

12. Unethical Testing Practices • North 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

13. Unethical Testing Practices • North 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

14. Sanctions • North 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. Eating/ Drinking During Testing • Food 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

20. 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

21. Prohibited Items in the Test Room 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

22. Irregularities/Misadministrations • 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

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