Security and Integrity of the NYS Testing Program

Security and Integrity of the NYS Testing Program Michelle M. Ryan, Director Monroe/Orleans Accountability, Assessment and Reporting Services (M.A.A.R.S) Monroe RIC (Monroe #1 BOCES & Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES) 3625 Buffalo Road Rochester, NY 14624 mryan@bocesmaars.org (585) 349-9061 w (585) 406-0161 c

Exam Storage • Stored in a SED approved vault or safe • Packages containing secure materials must remain closed until the day of the exam • All used and unused test booklets should be collected and securely stored each day.

Proctors • Conduct a proctor orientation session to familiarize them with administrative procedures • Proctors must follow all SED regulations for administering exams and sign the Deputy and Proctor Certificate

Proctors • Proctors must read the teacher directions/administration guidelines prior to the exam. • Students are prohibited from bringing cell phones and other electronic devices into a room where a State exam is being administered.

Scribes and Tape Recorders Students using scribes or tape recorders must provide all information for the writing sections of the test including spelling of difficult words, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation. Students may use a word processor (with spell-checking and grammar-checking devices disabled) instead of a scribe.

Scribes must: Use lined paper and write on every other line. Record word-for word what the student dictates or records, leaving out punctuation and capitalization, and circle all words that are difficult to spell. Ask the student to spell aloud any difficult-to-spell words; then write the student’s spelling above the circled words. Show the student the written response and ask him or her to indicate the capitalization and punctuation to be used.

Scribes must: Ask the student to read the completed dictation/transcription and indicate on the skipped lines any further changes to be transcribed. Transfer the student’s completed response into the test book exactly as dictated or recorded and attach the lined paper with the student’s dictation to the back of the test book, preferably by stapling, to ensure against the student’s response being lost.

Scribe for Math: Record what the student dictates on a separate sheet of paper. Ask the student to indicate exactly where the numbers need to be placed and lined up. Record the operational sign as dictated by the student (e.g., addition sign, subtraction sign). When dictating numbers, the student must indicate how the number is written and indicate place value. For example, if the student says “one thousand thirty-eight,” the student should specify how that is written (e.g., “one, zero, three, eight”).

Scribe for Math: When computing a problem, the student must indicate to the scribe how he or she is making the computation and should be specific in terms of what numbers to write down, including how to record carrying. For example, when adding 23 and 9, the student should indicate the following: “9 plus 3 is 12; put down the 2 and carry the 1 above the 2.” Show the student the written response and asks him or her to indicate if there are any further changes to be made.

Scribe for Math: • The student does not have to provide spelling, capitalization, and punctuation in word responses. • Transfer the student’s completed response into the test book exactly as dictated or recorded and attach the lined paper with the student’s dictation to the back of the test book, preferably by stapling, to ensure against the student’s response being lost.

Prohibited Testing Conduct • Giving a student more time than is allowed • Defining or explaining words, concepts, or questions contained in the test • Suggesting answers or coaching students • Commenting on a student answer

Prohibited Testing Conduct • Allowing anyone to alter the student’s answers after the exam • Improperly inflating a test score • Any attempt to improve a student’s score during scoring, recording or reporting • (These are just some examples)

Proctors may only advise students to use their best judgment

Answer Sheets • Use scannable answer sheet from RIC • Schools may not require students to record answers on more than one answer sheet. • No additional time may be provided to students to transfer answers from the test booklets to the answer sheets. • All answer sheets are scanned once.

Erasure Analysis • The SED test security department will be analyzing scoring data and conducting erasure analyses.

Scoring • Teachers are not permitted to score their own students’ answer papers • Schools must have the required number of scorers for each exam • Schools are not permitted to rescore any of the open-ended questions after they have been rated the required number of times • Each rater must sign the Examination Scoring Certificate

Potential Consequences • The test score of the affected student will likely be invalidated. • The affected student may have to retake the exam (Regents).

Potential Consequences • The incident gets reported to SED – anyone can now report possible testing fraud directly to the Test Security Unit. • All violations will be investigated by the local Test Integrity Officer and the NYSED Test Security Unit.

Potential Consequences Teachers and administrators may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Sections 3020 and 3020-a of Education Law or to action against their certification pursuant to Part 83 of the Commissioner of Education…

What does that mean? • Teacher or administrator could face sanctions and discipline, including termination and/or loss of New York State teacher certification.

Ethical Choice “Proper handling of testing materials and scores really does go to your moral conduct and ethical character as an educator.” Tina Sciocchetti, Executive Director TSU

Security and Integrity of the NYS Testing Program