Essential Guidelines for Statewide Assessment Security Training
This resource outlines key objectives for successful test administration, test security standards, accommodation resources, and responsibilities for building coordinators and test administrators. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to test security measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of assessments. Contacts for assessment inquiries and a detailed overview of test security protocols are provided, including the significance of the State Administered Large Scale Assessment Security Agreement. Understanding and implementing these guidelines are crucial for safeguarding the validity and reliability of assessment results.
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Presentation Transcript
2021-22 Statewide Assessment Security Training
Objectives Prepare for a successful test administration. Examine test security standards. Provide accommodation resources. Present allowable resources for online and paper testing. Explain the exemption request process. Outline Building Coordinator Responsibilities. Outline Test Administrator Responsibilities.
WDE Assessment Contacts Laurie Hernandez, Director of Standards & Assessment laurie.Hernandez@wyo.gov Tahnee Hutchinson, Assessment Consultant tahnee.hutchinson1@wyo.gov Michelle Carroll, Assessment Consultant michelle.carroll@wyo.gov Antoinette Hallam, EL Consultant antoinette.hallam@wyo.gov
Security Statement Statewide assessments rely on the accurate measurement of individual achievement. Any deviation from procedures meant to ensure test validity and security (e.g., group work, teacher coaching, teaching or release of any test items, photocopying, recording, etc.) is a violation of test security.
Test Security The primary goal of WY-TOPP test security is to protect the integrity of the assessments by: Securing test materials and items at all times. Ensuring appropriate preparation for and administration of the test.
Test Security WHEN Before, During, and After Testing WHO District Test Coordinators, Building Coordinators, Test Administrators and Proctors, Ancillary School Staff (administrative assistants, custodians, etc.), Students, or Anyone Who May Come into Contact With Secure Test Materials
Test Security Agreement All staff involved in the test security process must sign a State Administered Large Scale Assessment Security Agreement for K-12. The assessment security agreement is available in the test administration manuals and on the Wyoming Department of Education website on the Test Security page. All assessment security agreements must be stored for 2 years after signing.
Why Is Test Security Important? To ensure that assessment results are accurate and meaningful. To truly reflect a valid and reliable measure of each student s knowledge. To provide useful data to guide school improvement. To protect the enormous investments of resources, time, and energy that go into assessments.
Why Is Test Security Important, Contd? We have a responsibility to the public to ensure the accuracy of test scores. Disregarding test security can lead to investigations, invalidations, or loss of professional licensure.
Some Common Test Security Breaches Students giving or receiving unauthorized assistance from other students during test administration. Teachers providing answers to the students. Students accessing non-allowable resources. Taking photos of test items and sharing on social media. Accommodations being used inappropriately to cheat. Changing student responses. Reconstructing assessment materials through memorization. Posting memorized test items or answers online.
Testing Irregularities Test Irregularities (security breaches) may occur before, during, or after testing. Testing irregularities may compromise the reliability and validity of the test, and could affect a school s accountability ratings. All testing irregularities, including test security breaches, must be reported to the Building Coordinator immediately. Building Coordinator should notify the District Test Coordinator.
Devices, Social Media and Test Security Cell Phone Policy Pictures of, and/or discussion about test items on social media steadily on the rise No age barrier; not limited to just students.
Violating Test Security An unfair advantage may be provided to some students, making it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions about their performance. Additionally, violating test security may result in making items unusable on future tests. The state then incurs additional costs associated with item development, which is already a very expensive process.
Consequences of Violating Test Security This may result in: Parents receive no scores on their child s report if a test is invalidated. Public reporting will reflect all invalidated tests as not tested. This may reduce the percentage of students meeting proficiency and counts against a school s participation rate. Schools may have a more difficult time meeting the accountability requirements as a result.
Detecting Possible Issues WDE conducts announced visits to review administration and test security procedures in schools. Monitoring social media sites for test security breaches, e.g., photos of test items, photos of classrooms testing, discussions of live test items.
How WDE Responds to TS Issues Following a reported incident or complaint, WDE may ask the district to investigate the issue and submit a report and signed statements, along with a detailed chain of events and any steps taken to remediate the issue. All of this information needs to be documented to verify that due diligence has been performed and that appropriate measures were taken to resolve any concerns.
Conclusion All test items and materials are secure and must be appropriately handled. Secure handling protects the integrity, validity, and confidentiality of assessment items, prompts, and student information. Any deviation in test administration must be reported as a test irregularity to ensure the validity of the assessment results. Failure to honor security jeopardizes student information and puts the operational test at risk.
