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.

TESTING CODE OF ETHICS

Our effort to combat this problem... 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

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...”

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

SECURITY Securely storing test materials with minimum access 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. Bosco appoints as the testing coordinator) counting and distributing test materials Allowing students to work on the wrong section of a test

PREPARATION Securing necessary materials 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

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

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

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

WHEN DO YOU REPORT??? When a misadministration is declared… The Steps for Reporting a Problem Issues or Concerns? Immediately call the main office using the white phone (#) Mrs. Beyer must report any allegation of a testing violation to the Accountability Office. Only the Office of Accountability has the authority to declare misadministration. 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

Sanctions 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 Testing violations have consequences Suspend or revoke professional license File a civil action against person(s) responsible for the violation Dismissal

Take the online quiz for the Grand Prize. 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!