Anderson Community School Corporation
Test Security Policy
2020-2021
This policy details requirements for test security at Anderson Community School Corporation for the 2020-2021school year. All staff are expected to be familiar with this policy. This policy will be posted on the Student Assessment page of the Anderson Community School Corporation’s Website (link) and shared with all staff via the Weekly Assessment Newsletter.
Ethical Practices and Procedures
(i) All secure test materials for Anderson Community School Corporation will be received and housed in the secure storage area of the Assessment Office at Forest Hills Administration Building to which only the CTC has access. A secure storage area will be designated at each building to which only the STC and Principal have access.
(ii) All secure test materials will be tracked at each secure storage location by the STC or CTC via this ACSC Secure Materials Log. The ACSC Secure Materials Log will be used any time materials are checked out of or into the secure storage area ensuring that that all student assessments are secure when not being administered;
(iii) All materials will be inventoried by CTC or STCs on each day the secure storage area is accessed and contains secure test materials. The Vendor’s Packing List and/or the ACSC Secure Materials Log will be used for inventorying materials and as evidence for maintaining the chain of custody.
(iv) Reviewing any secure test questions before, during, or after assessment administration is strictly prohibited and as such, all materials must be returned to the secure storage area immediately upon completion of the test session; even if an additional test session is taking place later in the day.
Test Preparation Materials Review
Anderson Community School Corporation will use the following process to ensure all test preparation materials are reviewed and approved prior to use with students:
ACSC annually reviews school materials through Curriculum Committees, Grade Level Committees and other such committee meetings. Practices related to preparing students for assessments are headed up by IDOE Program Specific Policy and Guidance along with IDOE Sample Item and Scoring documents. Further discussion of appropriate materials is held during the test specific training with all staff prior to the administering of each assessment. Principal’s conduct “walk-throughs” throughout the school year and specifically during test prep to ensure compliance with proper test preparation materials and do not violate test security protocols.
Training Requirements
Anderson Community School Corporation assures that all appropriate staff have knowledge of the Code of Ethical Practices and Procedures and understand how to secure, administer, and handle the assessments while in their possession.
(i) All staff must complete the annual ACSC Test Security and Integrity Training by October 30, 2020 or within a reasonable time after becoming employed by Anderson Community School Corporation if employment begins after October 30, 2020. The ACSC Test Security and Integrity Training is offered online via a link supplied by the CTC or STC and it can be accessed via the Anderson Community School Corporation Website on the Student Assessment page in the Academics Menu. Participation in the training is documented by a google form at the end of the training where participants verify their completion and understanding of said training.
(ii) The CTC and STC will include refresher Test Security & Integrity Training in each of the Test Specific Trainings required throughout the year prior to each test window. Attendance at each training will be verified by an ACSC Attendance Log (hard copy or electronic) that includes the specific assessment, specific training attended, attendees name, signature, job title and date.
Delivery will be determined by the STC (in person or virtual) and participation will be tracked by an ACSC Test Administration w/ Refresher Test Security Training Attendance Log specific to each assessment including, but not limited to:
Monitoring
Test Schedule
The CTC and STCs will ensure that a test schedule is developed for each assessment at each school prior to the opening of the test window. STC at each school should create and maintain test schedules using this ACSC Test Schedule in Google Drive so they can be easily updated and adjusted. Test schedules should be shared with all appropriate staff prior to the scheduled Test Specific Training. The test schedule should also be shared with the CTC, Assistant Superintendent and the Curriculum Director. At a minimum, the schedule must include the assessment name, testing dates and times including date and time for make-up testing, applicable grade levels, content areas, and testing room locations.
Addressing Test Security Concerns
(i) Any complaint, allegation or concern regarding inappropriate testing practices must be reported to the CTC. Report should be made using the Testing Irregularity Report, Testing Concerns and Security Violations Report or the Social Media and/or Unallowable Devices Concern Report and sent to the CTC via email (kheff@acsc.net) or in person at the administration building located at 1600 Hillcrest Avenue, Anderson. If unsure how to proceed, contact the CTC at 765.641.2672. The CTC or her designee will investigate the situation to determine if further action is needed.
(ii) STCs and/or staff must report any allegations of test security violations to the CTC immediately. Failure to do so is, in itself, a test security violation. The CTC is required to report the same to IDOE immediately;
(iii) The Testing Concerns and Security Violations Report found in Appendix C of the Indiana Assessment Policy Manual may be completed and sent directly to the Indiana Department of Education Office of Student Assessment via mail to 115 W. Washington Street, South Tower, Suite 600, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or faxed to 317.233.2196. Please note that this will delay notification to Anderson Community School Corporation so a copy of the report should be addressed to the CTC via phone 765.641.2672, email (kheff@acsc.net) or in person at the administration building located at 1600 Hillcrest Avenue, Anderson.
(iv) Additional information can be found in the Protocol for Reporting and Investigating Alleged Breaches in Appendix A of the Indiana Assessments Policy Manual.