General Test Security
GIRLS AND BOYS PREP ACADEMY
GENERAL INFORMATION
Student Assessment Division
Texas Education Agency
General Information
• TEST DATES (GRADES 3-8)
o April 1, 2014 – Math (5th & 8th Grades)
o April 2, 2014 – Reading (5th & 8th Grades)
o April 1-2, 2014 – Writing (4th & 7th Grades)
o April 22, 2014 – Math (3rd, 4th, 6th & 7th Grades)
o April 22, 2014 – Social Studies (8th Grade)
o April 23, 2014 – Reading (3rd, 4th, 6th & 7th Grades)
o April 23, 2014 – Science(5th & 8th Grades)
o April 24, 2014 – Make-Up Testing
o April 25, 2014 – Make-Up Testing
Student Assessment Division
Texas Education Agency
General Information
• STAAR EOC TEST DATES
o March 31, 2014 – English I
o April 1, 2014 – English II
o April 2, 2014 – Makeup
o Tuesday, May 6, 2014 – Algebra I
o Wednesday, May 7, 2014 – Biology
o Thursday, May 8, 2014 – US History
o Friday, May 9, 2014 – Makeup
Student Assessment Division
Texas Education Agency
• STAAR and STAAR Modified English I and English II
- separate reading and writing tests have been combined into one
test to be administered on a single day
- assessments have a time limit of five hours
• Student Success Initiative
- English language learners in grades 5 and 8 will be held to
Student Success Initiative (SSI) requirements for both
mathematics and reading
- English language learners assessed with STAAR L in
mathematics at grades 5 and 8 will have retest opportunities in
May and June
• STAAR Modified
- operational EOC assessment added for U. S. history in
spring 2014
- only raw scores will be reported for U.S. history
• STAAR Standardized Oral Administration (SOA)
- offered statewide as an online option for oral administration for
eligible students in the following grades and subjects:
- grade 4 reading and mathematics
- grade 7 reading and mathematics
- grade 8 science and social studies
- features a text-to-speech panel that students can use to hear
selected text in test questions, answer choices, and graphics
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 Manual, and in the appropriate
test administration materials.
It’s the law!
Conduct that departs from the test administration procedures as
established in the Test Security Supplement, the District and
Campus Coordinator Manual, and test administrator manuals is
considered a testing irregularity.
It’s the law!
Violation of Security and Confidentiality of Assessments
Conduct that constitutes a severe violation of test administration
procedures (serious irregularities) may include, but is not limited
to, the actions listed below.
o changing or altering an examinee’s response or answer to
a test item
o providing, suggesting, or indicating to an examinee a
response or answer to a secure test question (this includes
suggesting that the examinee review or change his or her
response)
o aiding or assisting an examinee with a response or an
answer to a test question
It’s the law!
Violation of Security and Confidentiality of
Assessments (continued)
o duplicating secure test materials
o disclosing the contents of any portion of a secure test
o viewing a test before, during, or after an assessment
unless specifically authorized to do so
o encouraging or assisting an individual to engage in the
conduct described above
o failing to report to the appropriate authorities that an
individual engaged in any of the events listed above
It’s the law!
Penalties for Violation of Security and
Confidentiality of Assessments
Violation of security or confidentiality of any test required by the
Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 39, Subchapter B, is
prohibited.
A person who engages in conduct prohibited by the Test Security
Supplement and in other test administration materials may be
subject to a sanction of credentials. This includes any person
who violates, assists in the violation of, or solicits another to
participate in the violation of test security or confidentiality.
Additionally, this includes any person who fails to report such a
violation.
It’s the law!
Penalties for Violation of Security and
Confidentiality of Assessments
Penalties for participation in a serious violation of test security or
confidentiality may include the following reprimands:
o placement of restrictions on the issuance, renewal, or
holding of a Texas teacher certificate
o issuance of an inscribed or non-inscribed reprimand
o suspension of a Texas teacher certificate
o revocation or cancellation of a Texas teacher certificate
It’s the law!
Penalties for Violation of Security and
Confidentiality of Assessments
Release or disclosure of confidential test content is a Class C
misdemeanor and could result in criminal prosecution under TEC
§39.0303, Section 552.352 of the Texas Government Code, and
section 37.10 of the Texas Penal Code.
In addition, any irregularities in test security or confidentiality
may result in the invalidation of student results.
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
STAAR Test Session Time Limits
• Test administrators must use a clock or timer.
• Test administrators must communicate (orally or in writing) the
amount of time left to test in one-hour intervals.
• Students must record all responses by the end of the test session
time period.
• Start and stop times must be recorded on the seating chart.
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
STAAR Test Session Time Limits
• Multiple test sessions are allowed as long as the test session time
limit is maintained.
• Breaks are allowed during the administration of STAAR assessments.
- Some breaks are included in the time limit and the time clock
cannot be stopped (e.g., water breaks, snack breaks, bathroom
breaks, short physical or mental breaks)
- Some breaks are NOT included in the time limit and the time
clock should be stopped and restarted when the student(s)
resumes testing (e.g., lunch, emergencies, movement of
students, medical breaks).
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
STAAR Test Session Time Limits
• Students may stop testing to take a supervised lunch
o The testing time must be stopped for a lunch break and will
restart when students resume taking the test.
o Stop and restart times must be recorded on the seating chart.
o Students must place their answer documents inside their test
booklets so that all secure materials can be collected and placed
in locked storage. If students are testing online, they must exit
the test.
o Students must be monitored by trained testing personnel and
are not allowed to discuss any test content during lunch.
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
STAAR Test Session Time Limits
• Distribution of materials and the reading of the boldface, scripted test
administrator “SAY” directions are NOT included in the time limit. The time
period will start AFTER the test administrator has read directions and tells
students to begin working on their tests.
• Start time for the test session MUST be recorded on the seating chart.
• Students MUST record ALL responses before the end of the time period.
They will not be given additional time to record their responses on their
answer documents.
• Once the time period has ended, test administrators will instruct any
students still testing to put their pencils down and close their test
booklets/exit their online tests.
• Stop time for the test session MUST be recorded on the seating chart.
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
STAAR Test Session Time Limits
LATE-ARRIVING STUDENTS
• Once testing has begun, all late-arriving students will have their assessment
times deferred to a make-up session.
• Each student must be allowed four hours (five hours for English I and
English II) in which to take the test.
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
Reference Materials, Scratch Paper, and Graph Paper
• Students may use scratch paper.
• Reference material and graph paper written on and removed from
test booklets along with all scratch paper used by students must be
destroyed immediately after the test session is completed.
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
DICTIONARY POLICY
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
BILINGUAL DICTIONARY
o Allowable for STAAR, STAAR L, and STAAR M (any subject)
o Used to translate words (and sometimes common phrases) between
languages
o May include pictures but must not illustrate content terminology or
concepts
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
ENGLISH/ESL DICTIONARY
• Allowable for STAAR, STAAR M English I and English II only; not other
STAAR subjects; not STAAR L
• Unlike bilingual dictionaries, English dictionaries contain definitions of
English words
• ESL dictionaries define words using simpler English
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
CALCULATOR POLICY
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
CALCULATOR POLICY
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
Student Cheating
• If a district determines that a student is involved in a cheating
incident, either by providing or receiving assistance, the district is
required to invalidate the student’s test.
• The district should contact TEA immediately if a student
electronically captures (e.g., cell phone picture) any portion of
a test or an answer document.
• Any disciplinary actions taken locally against a student for cheating
must be reported to TEA using the Locally Determined Disciplinary
Action (LDDA) online form.
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
Student Cheating
• Campus Procedures…
o Alert the DTC (Dr. Mitchell) AND campus administration immediately
o Contact the student’s parents (CTC and/or Campus administration
only).
o Follow campus or district disciplinary measures
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
Student Cheating
• CELL PHONES
o All cell phones must be turned off and collected prior to testing.
o If a cell phone is found AFTER THE COLLECTION PERIOD, it must be
collected and determined if cheating has occurred.
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
Investigating and Reporting Testing Irregularities
• Each person participating in the Texas student assessment program
is responsible for reporting any suspected violation of test security
or confidentiality.
• Campus staff should notify their campus testing coordinator
(Elementary = Ms. Terry; Secondary = Dr. Mitchell), and district
coordinators should, in turn, notify TEA.
• Incidents that result in a deviation from documented testing
procedures are defined as testing irregularities, falling into one of
two categories – procedural or serious.
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
Investigating and Reporting Testing Irregularities
• Procedural Irregularities
- reflect minor errors or deviations in testing procedures
- do not represent severe breaches in security or confidentiality
- do not require a call to TEA unless guidance is needed by the
district
- do not require supporting documentation
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
Investigating and Reporting Testing Irregularities
• Serious Irregularities
- constitute severe violations of test security or confidentiality
- can result in the individual(s) responsible being referred to the
TEA Educator Certification and Standards Division for
consideration of disciplinary action
- must be investigated by the district coordinator immediately
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
Investigating and Reporting Testing Irregularities
• Things to do…
– Contact your campus coordinator ASAP
– Collect the following information:
• The nature of the irregularity
• Who was involved
• Where the irregularity took place
– Complete an irregularity report
• Available from CTC
2014 Security Supplement
Policy and Procedure Highlights
Investigating and Reporting Testing Irregularities
• The District will contact TEA for guidance.
• The TA/TM will collect typed statements from everyone involved.
• The TA’s/TM’s statement must:
• Be detailed and factual
• Include reporter’s signature and job title
• NEVER contain a student’s name
Calendar Reminders
• STAAR and STAAR Modified English I and English II tests are one-day tests
with a five hour time limit.
•
STAAR Algebra I, biology, and U.S. history will be administered within a
one-week testing window.
•
The STAAR grade 8 social studies administration is scheduled for
Tuesday, April 22, 2014.
Allowable Test Administration
Procedures and Materials
• Allowable procedures and materials are available to any student who
regularly benefits from their use during instruction.
• Students cannot be required to use these procedures/materials
during testing.
• Test administrators must be informed of the availability of allowable
procedures and materials for the appropriate students.
Allowable Test Administration
Procedures and Materials
• Allowable procedures and materials are not considered
accommodations, hence are not recorded on the answer document.
• Documentation is not required beyond what is necessary for planning
on testing day.
• The Allowable Test Administration Procedures and Materials
document is located in the following places:
•
•
•
•
2014 District and Campus Coordinator Manual
District and Campus Coordinator Manual Resources webpage
STAAR Test Administrator Manuals
Accommodation Resources webpage
Allowable Test Administration Procedures and Materials
1.
Signing test administration directions
2.
Translating directions into the native language of an English language
learner
3.
Allowing a student to read test aloud to self
4.
Reading aloud or signing personal narrative, expository, literary, or
persuasive writing prompt
5.
Providing reading assistance on the grade 3 mathematics test
Allowable Test Administration Procedures and Materials
6. Making assistive tools available
- scratch paper
- blank place marker
- color overlays
- magnifying devices
- highlighters, colored
pencils, or crayons
7.
Giving permission for students to use tools to minimize distractions
(e.g., stress ball)
8.
Allowing individual and small group administrations
9.
Gently reminding students to stay on task
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles and Responsibilities
Test Administrators may include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Teachers
Counselors
Librarians
Long term substitute teachers with certificates
Teachers with teaching permits/alternative certificates
Non-Certified paraprofessional must have a certified
person with them at all times.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles and Responsibilities
Confidentiality Requirements:
• All testing personnel must undergo training and sign the appropriate
security oath.
• All tests must be administered in strict accordance with the instructions
contained in the test administration materials.
• No person may view, reveal or discuss the contents of a test booklet or
online assessment before, during or after a test administration unless
specifically authorized to do so. If circumstances necessitate that a test
booklet or online assessment be examined, permission MUST first be
obtained from TEA.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles and Responsibilities
Confidentiality Requirements:
• No person may duplicate, print, record, write notes about, or capture
(electronically or by any other means) any portion of a secure
assessment instrument (paper or online) without prior approval from
TEA.
• Districts may not duplicate and retain either student compositions or
short answer responses.
• Only students may respond to test questions, perform calculations, use
strategies, and create rough drafts to written responses.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles and Responsibilities
Confidentiality Requirements:
• Test administrators conducting an oral administration of a paper
assessment must be aware that they are viewing secure content, and
that responding to test questions, recording the information they see,
scoring the test, or discussing the content of the test at any time is
strictly prohibited.
• Individuals who give an oral administration of a paper assessment are
required to sign a separate section of the test administrator’s oath.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles and Responsibilities
Confidentiality Requirements:
• Districts allowing certified or non-certified paraprofessionals (e.g.,
teacher aides) to access secure materials or administer tests must
identify a certified staff member who will be responsible for supervising
these individuals.
• If a violation of test security or confidentiality occurs under these
circumstances, the supervising certified professional is subject to
penalties (e.g., 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 noninscribed 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.)
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles and Responsibilities
PROPER TESTING PROCEDURES
• Test Administrators must:
o Be trained / signed their oath
o Check out all testing materials
o Give the correct test and answer document to the correct
student
o Actively monitor the testing process
o Fill out seating charts correctly
o Return all testing materials to Campus Testing Coordinator
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles and Responsibilities
PROPER TESTING PROCEDURES
• Test Administrators may read the directions as many times as needed.
• Test Administrators may not answer questions if students ask questions
about the test.
• Hand out proper testing supplies:
o Test booklets and answer documents
o No. 2 pencils
o Dictionary or Calculator
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles and Responsibilities
PROPER TESTING PROCEDURES
• Have available supplies:
o Highlighters (student’s request)
o Extra scrap/graph paper (student’s request)
• Handle testing supplies when:
o Going to lunch
o Moving to another room (make new seating chart)
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles and Responsibilities
• ACTIVE MONITORING
o No talking during testing (staff or students)
o No usage of cell phones or other personal electronic devices (staff or
students)
o No engagement in distractive behavior (e.g., reading, eating)
o Assuring students are marking their answers on their answer
documents
o Alerting students of the time (orally or written) every hour
o Alerting students every 15 minutes, then every 5 minutes (during
the last hour of testing) of the time remaining
o Reminding students that the answers not on the answer document
at the end of the 4/5 hours will not be scored.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles and Responsibilities
• ONCE TESTING IS COMPLETE, CONFIRM…
o You have a test booklet from every student who tested
o You have all secure answer documents
o The Test Taken Info Field has been bubbled
o The Test Date has been bubbled
o The Accommodation bubbles have been bubbled (if
applicable)
o Hand-gridded documents are complete
o You have all secure test booklets put in numerical order
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles and Responsibilities
• OTHER INFORMATION:
o A test monitor will be assigned to each test administrator
o Hall Monitors and relief staff will also be available to test
administrators for bathroom breaks
o Other staff members who are not involved with the
assessment on test day should make arrangements with their
portable neighbors to secure class coverage (Secondary
Campus only)
QUESTIONS?
CONTACT YOUR
CAMPUS TESTING COORDINATOR:
• ELEMENTARY – MRS. TERRY
• SECONDARY – DR. MITCHELL