Test Security and Alternate Assessments Melissa Gholson West Virginia Department of Education

Traditional Processes About Security Training- District Test Coordinators, Special Education Directors, Principals, Counselors, and Teachers Procedures-administration, provision, forms, processes Monitoring-documenting provision of accommodations, walk through protocols, maintaining test security Investigations-irregularities, security breach, any deviation that jeopardizes the integrity of the test

Revisiting the Process Training- Beyond the usual players in online testing we now have data stewards, technology liaison, test administrators Procedures-administration, provision, forms, processes and data access Monitoring-monitoring test and data security, documenting provision of accessibility, and monitoring protocols Investigations-irregularities, invalidations, breaches of PII and or security issues around platform

Testing Policies Policy 2340 provides the operational framework to administer an effective and efficient statewide assessment program, provide procedures to protect the integrity of test data, and support the use of assessment data to improve instruction. The WVBE Testing Code of Ethics (Appendix A), as set forth in this policy, defines the moral and principled practice of handling, training, and administering secure assessment materials.

Required Training for DTC’s Policy 2340 requires a signed security agreements District Test Coordinators are trained on Policy 2340 and Alternate Assessment Districts provide required training on Policy 2340 and assessment. Training is required for all Principals/BLC’s and teachers who will administer these tests. All irregularities of student misconduct that represent student cheating, security breaches, testing administration breaches or copyright infringements

Guidance West Virginia Guidelines for Participation in State Specific section on Alternate Assessment Criteria for Participation in Alternate Assessment Decision making and guidance for IEP teams Accessibility options and procedures

Alternate Assessment Participation Criteria The Online IEP has these criteria as part of the process. When you sign an IEP you are confirming the student meets the criteria. Do all your students identified as taking an alternate assessment meet this new criteria? Participation Criteria established across consortia.

Not Acceptable Considerations Important to take time to reflect on how to address misconceptions that exist about this very important decision.

Security Breach The failure to observe/follow the documented procedures, agreements, and/or the testing manuals by any person administering or assisting with the administration of an assessment. These procedures are designed to protect, maintain and implement the testing process. All irregularities of student misconduct that represent student cheating, security breaches, testing administration breaches or copyright infringements

Data Governance Student Data Accessibility, Transparency and Accountability Act. The Student Data Accessibility, Transparency and Accountability Act, found in W. Va. Code §18-2-5h, delineates state, district, and school responsibilities for data security and inventory; provides for a data governance officer; and established parental rights regarding access to information.

Data Privacy Student test scores or test performance shall not be disclosed to unauthorized persons as per the FERPA, the Student Data Accessibility, Transparency, and Accountability Act, Policy 4350, and the WVDE Data Access and Management Guidance and Policy 2340

Data Security Individual student level assessment data are maintained securely to protect student confidentiality as per the FERPA (20 U.S.C. §1232g; 34 CFR Part 99), the Student Data Accessibility, Transparency, and Accountability Act, Policy 4350, and the WVDE Data Access and Management Guidance. Individual student test data will be stored in a locked and secured area. All personally identifiable student test data will be maintained under conditions consistent with the requirements of FERPA, the Student Data Accessibility, Transparency and Accountability, found in W. Va. Code §18-2-5h, Policy 4350, and WVDE Data Access and Management Guidance.

Data Security & PII Personally identifiable information (PII) includes names and state identification numbers and any information or combination of information that would identify an individual student. Data Extracts are a potential data security breach if individuals are not trained and maintain protocols set forth by Data Governance.

Considering Data Security Everyone with access to data go through explicit data security training including discussion of FERPA and other privacy laws. All workstations require specific user logins. All workstations receive daily updated virus protection and system upgrades All users must change their passwords twice a year.

Dynamic Learning Maps Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) required seven required modules for test administrators had to be passed at eighty percent. WV required all DLM accounts assigned to a professional e- mail accounts. DLM security agreement required in Educator Portal Test Tickets & Testlet Information Pages (TIPs) are secure documents. Any printed TIPS Delete and or shred all TIPS pages after each assessment window

Data Extracts: Monitoring Test Administration Data extracts represent a new layer of data security. Step 1 Click on reports tab Step 2 Select the type of data you want and click on “new file”.

Educator Portal: Test Tickets & TIPs Test Tickets are pdf. Documents. Coming Soon!-TIPS pages will occur here as well. Once you have the test ticket you will find the TIPs page to prepare for the test.

Monitoring and Security Checklist

Monitoring Progress DLM Test Administration Short FormState Monitoring & Communication Focus on regular monitoring and communication

WVEIS Data System WVEIS allows us to monitor up to the moment changes to a students IEP. This allows us to monitor who should be on alternate assessment and what accessibility features this includes. This application is used to prepare for assessment.

Alternate Assessment and Accoms 14 Application Identify students on alternate assessment Compare the list to the student enrollment file for DLM English Language Arts & Math (lists should match) Make sure each student is on both an ELA and Math roster Identify students by grade 4,6, and 10 to identify students who need to take APTA Science Use this data to assist you in preparing to deliver APTA books for students in grades 4,6 and 10. Search by assessment type and value “E” for alternate assessment Identify students who need a braille version

Accommodations 14 Application School administrators use the Accom. 14 Assessment Accommodations Application in WOW as a verification process for identifying students who need supports/accommodations. Accommodations are updated daily and are available at the district, school and student level. The accommodations application allows users to sort by school, student ID, name, grade, accommodation and assessment type. The application allows for printing or creation of spreadsheets.

WVS.326: Accommodations Provision The WVS.326 form includes all the accommodations All pre-slugging and data entry one side Directions are on the back Coding process includes data for accommodation refusals and is used for invalidations of over and under accommodations. Information about WVS. 326 process is included in the Participation Guidelines. Alternate Assessment

Keeping Perspective Around Data Privacy and Security Online assessments and data systems are potential risks for security breaches. Having a rigorous policy and plan can help you mitigate such risks. Training and monitoring are essential to maintaining a secure system.

Questions? Melissa Gholson