Policy 6162.54 - Test Integrity/Test Preparation

Test Integrity/Test Preparation

The Board of Education desires to protect the integrity of student assessments in order to obtain accurate and reliable student achievement data and to ensure accountability to the community and state. Staff and students shall maintain a high level of integrity in the completion and handling of student assessments. In administering standardized tests, staff shall not engage in any acts that could result in the invalidation of test results, such as:

1. Providing inappropriate test preparation

2. Modifying test administration procedures, except as allowed by law

3. Providing inappropriate assistance to students during test administration

4. Changing or filling in answers on student answer sheets

5. Providing inaccurate data on student header sheets

6. Discouraging or excluding certain students from taking the test

7. Engaging in any other practice to artificially raise student scores without actually improving underlying student achievement

Appropriate Test Preparation

The Superintendent or designee, principals, and teachers shall not implement any program for the sole purpose of test preparation of students for the statewide assessment system or a particular test used in the statewide assessment system.

The primary preparation for assessments shall be high-quality instruction in the content specified in state and district academic standards. In addition, staff may prepare students for assessments by teaching general test-taking strategies and familiarizing them with item types or the computer-based testing environment used in state assessments.

Investigation and Consequences of Testing Irregularities

Reports of cheating on assessments shall be submitted to the Superintendent or designee. The Superintendent or designee shall immediately investigate with due diligence any reports of inappropriate test preparation or other testing irregularities.

Students found to have cheated on assessments shall be subject to disciplinary procedures in accordance with Board policy and administrative regulations.

A staff member found to have committed testing irregularities shall be subject to discipline in accordance with law, applicable collective bargaining agreements, Board policy, and administrative regulations. If the Superintendent or designee is made aware of a testing irregularity on state assessments, he/she shall report the irregularity to the California Department of Education.