Testing Code of Ethics Training 2015-2016

1. Testing Code of Ethics Training 2015-2016 In North Carolina, standardized testing is an integral part of the educational experience of all students, and the Testing Code of Ethics applies to everyone involved.

2. TESTING CODE OF ETHICS

3. Why do we test students? When properly administered and interpreted, test results provide an independent, uniform source of reliable and valid information… What goes wrong on the school level… The results… • Tests are not always administered properly. • Wrong students • Inconsistent procedures • Rule violations • Mishandling materials • The test results fail to provide an independent, uniform source of reliable and valid information. Our effort to combat this problem... Being trained on and following the North Carolina Testing Code of Ethics

4. Who are the stakeholders in the testing process? • Students • Parents • Teachers • Community leaders and lawmakers • Citizens On the school level, it is our job to make sure ”testing is conducted in a fair and ethical manner...”

5. The Breakdown The Four Sections of the Testing Code of Ethics Assuring adequate security of testing materials & student confidentiality SECURITY 3 4 1 Teaching the curriculum, training staff, and providing appropriate environment PREPARATION 2 Implementing fair & ethical testing practices ADMINISTRATION SCORING, ANALYSIS, & REPORTING Properly interpreting test results & confidentially reporting scores

6. SECURITY TESTING COORDINATOR ALL STAFF MEMBERS EXAMPLES OF VIOLATION • Securely storing test materials with minimum access • Counting and distributing materials • Tracking and locating missing materials/accounting for all materials (Sign-Out/In sheets) • Not reviewing or analyzing test items • Not reviewing or analyzing test items • Not using test materials for personal gain • Not copying or reproducing test materials • Reporting any breach of security or loss of materials • Properly monitoring students during tests • Making copies of the test booklets to use for tutorial/re-test purposes • Anyone besides the testing coordinator (or whoever Mr. Boscoappoints as the testing coordinator) counting and distributing test materials • Allowing students to work on the wrong section of a test

7. PREPARATION TESTING COORDINATOR ALL STAFF MEMBERS EXAMPLES OF VIOLATION • Securing necessary materials • Planning and implementing training for test administrators and proctors • Encouraging a positive atmosphere for testing • Documenting test modifications • Having professional training in education (throughout the year, every school year) • Providing instruction that meets or exceeds the curriculum standards • Helping students improve test-taking skills (conducting practice sessions, using resource materials, etc.) • Providing a student a testing accommodation that is not documented • Not allowing students to use testing accommodations • Testing a student who is not required to take a test • Administering a student the wrong test • Administering tests without having appropriate training

8. ADMINISTRATION TESTING COORDINATOR ALL STAFF MEMBERS EXAMPLES OF VIOLATION • Establishing school-wide procedures for test administrations • Informing The Office of Accountability about testing violations • Training test administrators and proctors • Administering tests to all eligible students • Reporting all test irregularities to the testing coordinator • Providing a positive test-taking climate • Following test directions and administrator’s manuals carefully • Failing to keep accurate time during test administrations • Not taking down content-related posters • Failing to properly monitor the room • Causing distractions and interruptions • Allowing proctors to read the test directions • Paraphrasing test directions or answer choices

9. SCORING, ANALYSIS, & REPORTING TESTING COORDINATOR ALL STAFF MEMBERS EXAMPLES OF VIOLATION • Maintaining test security of answer keys, rubrics, and test results • Protecting students’ confidentiality at all times • Using test data to understand educational patterns • Maintaining confidentiality of individual students’ results • Using test data for proper decision-making purposes • Announcing individual students’ scores for the class or passing around personally identifiable information • Failing a student solely because of his exam score • Sending scores via email

10. Unethical testing Practices DO NOT DO ANY OF THESE!!! Encouraging students to be absent the day of testing Encouraging students not to do their best because of the purposes of the test Using secure items or modified secure test items for instruction Changing student responses at any time Interpreting, explaining, or paraphrasing the test directions or the test items Reclassifying students solely for the purpose of avoiding state testing Not testing all eligible students Failing to provide needed modifications during testing Modifying scoring programs Modifying student records solely for the purpose of raising test scores Using a single test score to make individual decisions Misleading the public concerning the results and interpretations of test data

11. WHEN DO YOU REPORT??? The Steps for Reporting a Problem • When a misadministration is declared… • Affected students must be administered another secure form of the test • Only scores from a valid test administration will be included in students’ records • An account of the teacher’s actions will go into his/her professional file

12. Sanctions Testing violations have consequences Withhold incentives or recognition from individuals or from all eligible staff in a school Seek criminal prosecution Employee Letter written by principal and placed in employee’s file at school and at Employee Relations Suspend or revoke professional license File a civil action against person(s) responsible for the violation Dismissal

13. At this time, please sign your Testing Code of Ethics Affidavit with your DEPARTMENT CHAIR. Take the online quiz for the Grand Prize. Thank you for your time!