Assessment is an integral part of the educational experience of all students. When administered, interpreted and used properly, uniform test results offer a meaningful independent source of information that can be used to design educational opportunities for students to better meet their needs. Improved student learning is the primary goal of both large-scale standardized assessments and classroom assessments.
It is recognized that any assessment is a limited source of information, and will, therefore, be used in conjunction with all other available information known about a student to assist in improving student learning. Student test data used for personnel/program decisions shall comply with the Test Code of Ethics for NC testing personnel, teachers, and school administrators, and this policy.
Standardized tests shall be administered according to procedures established by the test publisher. The Superintendent will ensure that all LEA personnel adhere to all procedures for the administration of standardized tests established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, including but not limited to regulations and procedures printed in the following documents: The Testing Code of Ethics for North Carolina Testing Personnel, Teachers and School Administrators; Testing Modifications for Students with Disabilities; guidelines for Testing Students with Limited English Proficiency; Administrative Information for the North Carolina State Testing Programs; local written implementation procedures, and other supporting documents.
The Superintendent will ensure that all appropriate staff have the knowledge and skills necessary to: prepare students for assessments; administer and score the assessments; and interpret and use the results from an assessment. All staff shall use this knowledge and skills for all aspects of assessments.
The Superintendent will ensure that the confidentiality of individual student records is maintained.
The Superintendent will ensure that all appropriate staff have knowledge of the standards of ethical practice related to assessment and will monitor the educational practices of all personnel in terms of these standards. The failure of any individual to adhere to these standards is grounds for disciplinary action and/or dismissal.(1) The Superintendent is responsible for developing regulations to implement this policy, including appointing an Ethical Testing Practices committee. All school personnel shall be responsible for immediately reporting any questionable practice to the committee.
(Local regulations should include, but not be limited to the following:)
The responsibility of the Superintendent includes, but is not limited to, ensuring that the following occurs.
(1) Communication to all appropriate staff at least once annually all security procedures established by the LEA for each type of assessment, as identified by the Testing Code of Ethics, as well as any supplemental documents.
(2) Communication to all appropriate staff at least once annually procedures for test administration through the use of the Test Administrator's Manual for the assessment, as well as any supplemental materials.
(1) Communication to all appropriate staff at least once annually the purpose(s) for each assessment.
(2) Establishment of procedures for periodically reviewing materials and practices used in the school or LEA to prepare students for assessments, administering and scoring assessments, and interpreting and using assessment results.
(3) Periodic review of materials and practices used in the school or LEA to prepare students for assessments, administering and scoring assessments, and interpreting and using assessment results.
(4) Provision of information and staff development necessary to ensure that all appropriate staff have the knowledge and skills necessary to make ethical decisions related to preparing students for an assessment, administering and/or scoring the assessment, and interpreting or using the assessment result.
(1) The safeguarding of the confidentiality of individual students. Any written material and/or data file, regardless of the form of the material or data file, or the technology used to produce the materials or data file, which contains identifiable scores for individual students on any test shall not be considered a public record within the meaning of G.S. 132-1 and shall not be disseminated or otherwise made available to the public except as permitted under the provision of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Acts of 1974, 20 U.S.C. 1231 G.
(1) Communication to all appropriate staff at least once annually the standards for determining what is unethical or inappropriate as per the Testing Code of Ethics, as well as any additional standards adopted by the LEA.
(2) Communication at least once annually to all appropriate staff how the standards and/or procedures will be monitored, what sanctions will be imposed, and in what circumstances such sanctions will apply.
(3) Provision of channels of communication that allow teachers and other educators, students, parents, and other members of the community to voice their concerns about practices they consider inappropriate.
(4) The appointment of a committee on ethical testing practices. The committee may be made of five members which may include the Testing Director, a principal, teacher, curriculum specialist or other necessary personnel to complete the investigation. Reported activities which are deemed to be inappropriate shall be reported to the Board of Education.
It is recognized that measures of student progress can be used to assess both student and personnel performance. As policy X (Student Assessment) indicated for students, assessment results will be used in conjunction with all other available information to judge the adequacy of any individual's performance. However, a pattern of performance over several assessment cycles may be one indicator of the adequacy of an educator's performance. The superintendent is responsible for developing regulations to implement this policy to ensure uniformity.
The inadequacy of individual performance is an indicator of inadequate school performance. According to the ABCs of School Improvement, schools not exhibiting adequate progress will be subject to focused intervention and possible takeover.