Georgia Professional Standards Commission Educator Ethics Conducting Effective Testing Investigations

Review your local policies to assure that they are in compliance with the law, DOE Rules and the Code of Ethics for Georgia Educators.

Follow local policies and procedures in investigating alleged misconduct.

To obtain as much information as possible to fully understand an event. Investigation Goal

Determine whether the conduct described is a violation of procedure or cheating. Complaint Most procedure issues can be handled at the local level – Cheating must be reported to the PSC.

Different accounts of what happened do not necessarily mean the person being questioned is being dishonest. You remember what you see and you remember what you perceived.

School Test Coordinator Who should be notified? Principal System Test Coordinator Superintendent DOE

Remain objective! If you cannot remain objective, assign someone else to do the investigation! Remain objective! If you cannot remain objective, assign someone else to do the investigation!

Immediate Actions Required Secure Physical Evidence (Check the Trash Can and Personal Space of the Teacher)Secure Physical Evidence (Check the Trash Can and Personal Space of the Teacher) Document What Happened (What did you find; Where did you find it?)Document What Happened (What did you find; Where did you find it?)

Documenting the Incident Incident TypeIncident Type Location of IncidentLocation of Incident Date/Time of IncidentDate/Time of Incident Reported ByReported By Report Received ByReport Received By ParticipantsParticipants WitnessesWitnesses What Happened?What Happened? Evidence CollectedEvidence Collected

Document the Incident Decide what information you will need and create a report format to assist you in documenting the investigation. It is easy to forget something if you don’t have a good report form. This form is available at for download and use. Contact your HR Director if you want a copy.

Notes Test Documents Answer Documents Copies Cell Phones Erasures Anything that may have comprised the test Collect Evidence

Document What Happened Identify Witnesses (Students & Adults) Take Pictures Record Dates and Times Cite What Procedure(s) was Violated Verify that Training was Provided Identify the Test (CRCT, EOCT, ITBS, etc.) Note Teacher’s Reaction Note what Action You took

Plan the Investigation  What is the allegation?  Who will investigate?  What facts are needed?

Plan the Investigation  What documentation is available?  What evidence needs to be collected?

Plan the Investigation  Who should be interviewed? (Examiners, Proctors, Test Takers, Test Coordinators, Administrators, Anyone else that had access or responsibility for the test.)  What information is expected from each witness?

Plan the Investigation  What other agencies should be involved - DOE?  What independent actions should the school system take immediately?

Interviewing

Use a Private Location. Record the Interview. Interview Everyone Individually. Interview the Witnesses First. Don’t Interrupt. Allow Time to Respond. Don’t Promise Anything. Don’t Voice Opinions. Don’t Be Accusatory Use Reflective Listening Thank the Person Interviewed General Hints About Interviewing

Control the environment.

Establish Rapport

Silence is Okay

Interview Avoid Leading Questions Do you remember X? Avoid Yes or No Questions. Avoid Negative Wording You don’t remember X, do you? Ask: Tell me what you remember.

Rephrase and repeat : “Is there any other information that you can remember that would be helpful in determining what happened?”

Interviewing the Accused When interviewing the accused educator: Inform her/him of the allegations. Be open, concerned and non-judgmental. Gather facts and do not make judgments. Ask for the educator’s account of the situation. Ask if there are other witnesses you should contact.

Questioning Children Avoid questions with Yes or No answers.Avoid questions with Yes or No answers. If you don’t understand what they’re trying to tell you, ask them to re-state what they said in different words.If you don’t understand what they’re trying to tell you, ask them to re-state what they said in different words. Allow the child to move around, fiddle or whatever - it allows the child feel they have some control.Allow the child to move around, fiddle or whatever - it allows the child feel they have some control. Listen and observe nonverbal expressions.Listen and observe nonverbal expressions. Written expressions are more effective with adolescents.Written expressions are more effective with adolescents.

 Observe the body language of the person being interviewed.  Be aware of your body language (tone of voice, gestures and facial expressions.) During the Interview

1. Document what you observed 2. Transcribe your Tape and Notes 3. Have the Transcript Signed 4. Obtain a Written Statement 5. Keep Notes in a Separate File 6. Complete the Record After the Interview

Report Unethical Conduct to the Professional Standards Commission.

Employment Issues involving competence, insubordination, medical problems, physical health, emotional or mental health, and local policy should be handled at the local level.

Professional Standards Commission Ethics Division Contact Information Gary Walker, Director John Grant, Chief