Test Security

Any action that compromises test security or leads to the invalidation of an individual student’s or a group of students’ test scores will be viewed by the Georgia Department of Education as inappropriate use of handling of test and will be treated as such. Below are guidelines to assist system personnel in determining which activities might compromise test security or score validity. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Any concern regarding test security must be reported to the Georgia Department of Education immediately. Assessment Administration Division staff members are available to help system personnel develop and implement appropriate test security procedures.

It is a breach of test security if anyone performs any of the following:

• Coaches examinees during testing, or alters or interferes with examinee’s responses in any way;

• Gives examinees access to test questions or prompts prior to testing;

• Copies, reproduces, or uses in any manner inconsistent with test security regulations all or any portion of secure test booklets;

• Makes answers available to examinees;

• Reads or reviews test questions before, during (unless specified in the IEP, IAP, or ELL/TPC), or after testing;

• Questions students about test content after the test administration;

• Fails to follow security regulations for distribution and return of secure test materials as directed, or fails to account for all secure test materials before, during, and after testing
  (NOTE: lost test booklets constitute a breach of test security and will result in a referral to PSC);

• Uses or handles secure test booklets and answer documents for any purpose other than examination;

• Fails to follow administration directions for the test;

• Participates in, directs, aids, counsels, assists, encourages, or fails to report any of these prohibited acts.

Failure to safeguard test materials or to comply with test administration procedures could adversely affect an individual’s certification status. Such practices must be reported to the Georgia Dept. of Education and may be referred to the Educators Ethics Division of the Professional Standards Commission as failure to adhere to established policies and procedures. Under no circumstances may any tests be reproduced or duplicated for individual or group use unless authorized by Georgia Dept. of Education. Failure to comply with the U.S. Copyright Laws protecting these materials could result in legal action. Any instance of violation of copyright laws must be reported immediately to the Georgia Department of Education.

Teaching staff and other personnel responsible for administering or monitoring tests participate in an orientation on test security and the Code of Ethics. A checklist of do’s and don’ts is provided, onsite test coordinators receive additional training on test security and implementation procedures, and signed documentation is required to verify the educator’s participation in testing orientation meetings.