Test Monitor Training
Administering Minnesota Assessments
“Leading for educational excellence and equity. Every day
for every one.”
Introduction
• The purpose of this presentation is to
eliminate problems with test security and
test administration by reviewing
procedures required by MDE.
• Presentation will focus on general
principles, not specific tests.
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Test Security
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Why Is Test Security Needed?
• Maintain the integrity of:
– Tests
– Test results
• Protect the state’s financial investment
– Test items are expensive to create and
maintain
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Documentation
• Anyone involved with the packaging,
security or administration of statewide
tests must complete a Non-Disclosure
Agreement.
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Documentation for Paper Administrations
• Test Monitors must have a Test Monitor
Test Materials Security Checklist that
shows which test books and
accommodated test materials were
assigned to each student (for
determining if all secure test materials
were returned).
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Documentation for Online Administrations
• Test Monitors must ensure that students
are logged in under their name and are
taking the correct test.
• If needed, Test Monitors must have a
Test Monitor Test Materials Security
Checklist that shows which
accommodated test materials were
assigned to each student (for
determining if all secure test materials
were returned).
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Viewing and Copying Tests
• Only certain people are allowed to see test
items
– Students taking the test
– Staff working with accommodations (e.g., reading a
script, scribing a test)
– Test Administrators for MTAS and ACCESS for
ELLs
• Reproducing any part of a test is a breach of
security and a violation of copyright law,
except as otherwise permitted.
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Possible Test Security Issues
• General
– Lack of a written policy on test security
or test administration.
– Policy exists, but
• is not communicated to staff.
• is not followed.
– Failure to secure test materials from
the time they arrive in the district to
when they are returned to the service
provider.
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Possible Test Security Issues
• Testing Staff
– Inadequate training of Test Monitors/Test
Administrators or School Assessment
Coordinators.
– Failure to read/understand/sign the NonDisclosure Agreement.
– Inadequate staffing of testing rooms or
computer labs.
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Possible Test Security Issues
• Testing administration
– Failure to follow the Test Monitor Directions
or script instructions.
– Failure to follow district guidelines for taking
breaks during the testing session.
– Cheating by a staff member or student.
– Inappropriate materials posted on walls.
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Possible Test Security Issues
• Missing materials
– Test material left unattended.
– Secure materials not returned.
• Especially accommodated materials, such as
scripts or large print test books.
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Test Monitor Responsibilities
Before, During and After
Testing Sessions
(see Roles and Responsibilities in the
Procedures Manual for Minnesota
Assessments)
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Before Testing Day
• Read, understand and sign the NonDisclosure Agreement.
• Review the Test Monitor Directions.
• Know how to contact your School
Assessment Coordinator during testing.
• Know what behaviors and activities
should be documented and how to
report them.
• Know where to pick up testing materials
on the day of the test.
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Before Testing Day
Know your procedures for:
– Restroom and other breaks during
testing (individual student and whole
group).
– Disruption due to inclement weather or
other special circumstance.
– Student illness.
– Student perceives an error in a test book.
– Starting and stopping testing when
testing over multiple days.
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Before Testing Day
• Know your district’s testing schedule and
assigned testing days.
• Know your building’s plan for keeping test
materials or online tests secure between
testing sessions if students testing over
multiple days.
• Remove or cover any prohibited materials in
your room (e.g., visual aids that directly
relate to test content).
• Know which students will receive
accommodations.
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Testing Day: Before Students Arrive
• Sign out your secure test materials
from your School Assessment
Coordinator.
• Keep your testing materials secure
until the testing session.
• Verify that students receive their
assigned testing materials.
• Know what to do if a student’s online
test stops or will not resume.
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Testing Day: Before Students Arrive
• Make sure you have test materials
for the students taking the test.
• For online tests, make sure you
have student login information.
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Testing Day: During the Test
• Actively monitor your students during all
testing sessions.
• Follow the Test Monitor Directions
exactly.
• Only answer questions by repeating the
scripted instructions in the Test Monitor
Directions.
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Testing Day: During the Test
• For online testing, make sure students
are logged in and taking the correct
test.
• Ensure that staff do not review test
items during any test session.
• Notify your School Assessment
Coordinator of any testing irregularities
as soon as possible.
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Activities Prohibited During Testing
• Posting visual aids that directly relate to
test content.
• Revealing test items (from segments of
the test not yet taken).
• Reading test items to students (unless
using a math or science script or
administering the MTAS).
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Activities Prohibited During Testing
• Copying or emailing test items.
• Helping a student answer test items.
• Changing a student’s answers.
• Defining terms used in test items.
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Test Security Notification Form
If a breach of test security occurs:
– Notify School Assessment
Coordinator/District Assessment
Coordinator immediately.
– District Assessment Coordinator
will contact MDE.
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Testing Day: After the Test
• Verify receipt of all test materials
from students.
• Keep your testing materials secure
after the testing session.
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Testing Day: After the Test
• Sign in your secure test materials with
your School Assessment Coordinator.
• Notify your School Assessment
Coordinator if something unusual or
unexpected occurred during testing so
that the Test Administration Report can
be completed.
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Bottom Line
• When testing is over, a Test Monitor
should be able to say “Yes” to:
– Were the test materials secure at all
times, and did I return all the secure
materials?
– Did I carefully read and follow all of the
Test Monitor Directions?
– Did my students arrive at their
answers independently?
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Test Security Violations
Possible Consequences
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Possible Consequences of Violations
MDE may require district to:
– Provide evidence that the person(s) involved in
the test security violation received training.
– Outline the events, including details and
timelines.
– Include copies of the School Test Materials
Security Checklist and Test Monitor Test
Materials Security Checklist documenting any
missing test materials.
– Develop a plan for future training with an
emphasis on test security and how training will
be documented.
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Possible Consequences of Violations
MDE may:
• Invalidate a test score – student, class,
school or district.
• Withhold state educational aids.
• Refer to the Board of Teaching for
possible licensure sanctions.
• Refer to the Minnesota Department of
Administration for violations of data
practices.
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Division of Research & Assessment
1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 55113-4266
http://education.state.mn.us
mde.testing@state.mn.us
651-582-8874 (fax)
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