1. STAAR Security Brief for Spring 2019

2. Web-based Texas Test Administrator Online Training Modules
Security Training Modules
Web-based Texas Test Administrator Online Training Modules
All three modules must be completed by certified campus personnel if they:
- took an incident in spring 2018
- new to district
- are directed by the campus Principal

3. It’s the law!
Procedures for maintaining the security and confidentiality of assessments are specified in the Test Security Supplement, the District and Campus Coordinator Resource, and in the appropriate test administration materials.

4. State and Security
Maintaining the security and confidentiality of the Texas student assessment program is critical for ensuring fair and equal testing opportunities for all students. Given the high stakes associated with student performance and the need to assure parents, students, and the public that test results are meaningful and valid.
It is imperative that individuals participating in the program preserve the integrity of all test content and student data through strict adherence to the instructions and procedures contained in this resource and the test administrator manuals.

5. The following govern test security
General Security Information
The following govern test security
Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 39, Subchapter B
Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 19 Subchapter 101, Assessment
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of (FERPA)
Texas Penal Code Tampering

6. Penalties for Prohibited Conduct
Placement of restrictions on the issuance, renewal, or holding of a Texas educator certificate, either indefinitely or for a set term
Issuance of an inscribed or non-inscribed reprimand
Suspension of a Texas educator certificate for a set term; or
Revocation or cancellation of a Texas educator certificate without opportunity for reapplication for a set term or permanently
Release or disclosure of confidential test content is a Class C misdemeanor and could result in criminal prosecution under TEC ξ , Section of the Texas Government Code, and Section of the Texas Penal Code.
Impose any additional conditions or restrictions upon a certificate that the State Board of Educator Certification deems necessary to facilitate the rehabilitation and professional development of the educator or to protect students, parents of students, school personnel, or school officials
SBEC may take any of the above action if a educator fails to cooperate with TEA in an investigation

7. What is NOT active monitoring?
Monitoring during test administrations is the responsibility of the test administrator, the campus test coordinator and administrators.
What is NOT active monitoring?
Anything that takes the test administrator’s attention away from the students during testing. Examples include:
Working on the computer, using cell phones, or checking
Reading a book, magazine, or newspaper
Grading papers or working on lesson plans
Leaving the room without a trained substitute test administrator in the room
Leaving students unattended during meals or breaks

8. Secure Information
Content of the test is secure and confidentiality must be maintained
All student data in the STAAR system or entered into the system is confidential
Passwords and user IDs are secure and should be kept confidential. DO NOT SHARE!
Student scoring documents and booklets are secure materials
All reference materials and/or supplemental aides must be collected and returned to the CTC after the completion of the test. Shred any material written on that is not required to be returned to the vendor

9. BEFORE Testing
Emphasize the importance of reading all manuals and attending training
Account for all test material daily
Designate an area with limited access to store testing materials
Verify the accuracy of student information
Verify testing requirements for students
Verify each student’s testing needs and accommodations

10. Assessment Technology
For a device or software to be considered appropriate for state assessment use, it must:
be set in a mode that locks the user into a specific software program;
block the user from accessing functionality that may violate test security, such as
the ability to send secure test content (e.g., messages, captured images, videos);
the ability to send or receive any person-to-person communication about secure test content (e.g., chat, video); or
the ability to save secure test content.
When using applications on a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer districts must ensure the application does not provide functionality that compromises the curriculum assessed.

11. Test Security for any Oral Administrations
All security measures outlined in the STAAR Test Administrator manuals must be followed.
Any type of oral administration in which the test administrator has to view a secure state assessment, requires that the test administrator has completed the “authorized to view” section of the oath. Train all TAs because they will have the ability to provide “oral” assistance in the following; writing prompts, partials, and 3rd grade mathematics.
Responding to test questions, making notes about test questions, and discussing the content of the assessment at any time are prohibited.
Test administrators must not rephrase, clarify, or interpret any test content.
Unauthorized verbal and nonverbal assistance may not be provided to students.

12. DURING Testing
Ensure each student receives the correct assessment(s) and accommodation(s)
Emphasize and verify active monitoring
Ensure only trained test administrators are allowed access to secure materials
Ensure all testing personnel understand that they may NOT: - provide unauthorized assistance (example patting, tapping, or having a known saying that notifies students that their answers are incorrect) - view the tests without authorization - discuss confidential student information - check for strategies or remind students to use strategies on testing day

13. AFTER Testing No unauthorized viewing (other than the assigned TA)
No falsifying scoring of student responses
No discussion of confidential student information
Account for all test materials daily
Ensure an answer document has been submitted and coded correctly for all students that tested for each subject (verify codes for online testers)
Ensure that all materials have been returned to the CTC per the MCF
Ensure that the seating chart has been completed with all information

14. Testing Irregularities
Incidents resulting in a deviation from documented testing procedures are defined as testing irregularities.

15. Testing Irregularities
We view the following as a “procedural” irregularity
improper accounting of secure materials
eligibility error
monitoring error
accommodation error
test procedural error
The CTC investigates as directed by DTC

16. CTC will notify the DTC. DTC will investigate with HR oversight.
Testing Irregularities
Serious irregularities must be reported to the CTC as soon as they occur or are discovered.
CTC will notify the DTC. DTC will investigate with HR oversight.
Examples of Serious Testing Irregularities:
Directly or indirectly assisting students with responses to test questions
Tampering with student responses
Viewing secure content unless specifically authorized
Discussing or disclosing secure test content or student responses
Formally or informally scoring student tests

17. Testing Irregularities
Duplicating or recording test content
Falsifying TELPAS holistic ratings or STAAR Alternate 2 student responses
Fraudulently exempting or preventing a student from participating in the administration of a required state assessment
Receiving or providing unallowable assistance during the TELPAS calibration activities
Encouraging or assisting an individual to engage in conduct described above
Failing to report

18. Top Testing Irregularities
Students were not provided an accommodation or a test version that they were assigned
Students were given the wrong answer document
Secure material (including secure test administration manuals) were left unattended
Students were allowed to leave testing environment without filling in bubbles on an answer document
Failure to report a suspected violation
Students worked on the previous day’s test and changed answers
Directly or indirectly assisting students with responses to test questions
Providing students with answers
Reading the reading passages aloud to students
Working the problems for students

19. Reporting Irregularities
A test irregularity is reported
If the irregularity is ruled an incident, you will submit a statement in accordance with directions from the CTC
A copy of the incident form and statements will be kept in the Campus testing binder
Remain calm and contact the CTC
CTCs will obtain the facts, secure any evidence and determine the necessary steps
CTCs will scan statements and incident form to the DTC by the end of the day the incident occurred
Statements must be typed, role during testing, dated and signed
Do not discuss with anyone until cleared by the CTC
Testing binders are kept on campus for 5 years and are TEA auditable
CTC will assess the situation, investigate and contact the DTC

20. Reporting & Documentation
If you become aware of any irregularities, you must notify the CTC immediately with the who, when, where, what and why.
If the irregularity is deemed an incident the following is required:
Incident report including a plan of action (local form and district plan of action). (Done by CTC)
Signed statement(s) from individual(s) involved (typed, printed and signed name, role during testing, and dated)
Statements will not include names or IDs of students
The local disciplinary referral form used to report disciplinary actions taken against students for cheating, cell phone issues or disruptions. (Done by Administrators)

21. Security Oaths
TEA requires that everyone be trained and sign a security oath before handling secure testing materials or participating in the administration of a state test
The ability to view a test booklet for STAAR and an oral accommodation requires TAs to complete the bottom statements of the oath prior to testing.
THIS INCLUDES READING THE WRITING PROMPT and 3rd grade mathematics accessibility feature!!!

22. Security Oaths
General oath - signed after training and prior to administrating the test
Non-Certified personnel oaths- signed by all campus non-certified personnel

23. Security Oaths Check each line Check here for oral administration
Sign and clearly print name

24. Non-Certified Personnel Oath
Security Oaths
Non-Certified Personnel Oath
For Custodians, Cafeteria, Maintenance and Nurses to sign prior each year.
Initial each line
Sign and clearly print name

25. Administrative Procedure E11
Highlights from
Administrative Procedure E11
No field trips during programmatic or state assessments
Use of Test Hound and accommodations
No use of cell phones by staff
Compliance of assignment of accommodations and test versions by E11 deadlines
Handling of materials
Communication with stakeholders on student results

26. E-11 Deadlines Assessment E-11 Date TELPAS February 1, 2019
STAAR ALT 2
March 1, 2019
April STAAR & EOC
March 8, 2019
May EOC
April 12, 2019
May STAAR
April 18, 2019

27. Questions