1. Administering Minnesota Assessments
Test Monitor Training
Administering Minnesota Assessments

2. Presentation will focus on general principles, not specific tests.
Introduction
The purpose of this presentation is to eliminate problems with test security and test administration by reviewing procedures required by MDE.
Presentation will focus on general principles, not specific tests.

3. Test Security

4. Why Is Test Security Needed?
Maintain the integrity of:
Tests
Test results
Protect the state’s financial investment
Test items are expensive to create and maintain

5. Documentation
Anyone involved with the packaging, security or administration of statewide tests must complete a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Test Monitors must have a Test Security Checklist that shows which test(s) were assigned to each student (for determining if all tests and answer books were returned).

6. For online testing, Test Monitors:
Documentation
For online testing, Test Monitors:
Must have Student Authorization Tickets
Ensure that each student receives the ticket assigned to them

7. Viewing and Copying Tests
Only certain people are allowed to see test items
Students taking the test
Staff working with accommodations (e.g., reading a script, scribing a test)
MTAS Administrators
Reproducing any part of a test is a breach of security and a violation of copyright law, except as otherwise permitted.

8. Possible Test Security Issues
General
Lack of a written policy on test security or test administration.
Policy exists, but
is not communicated to staff.
is not followed.
Failure to secure test materials from the time they arrive in the district to when they are returned to Pearson.

9. Possible Test Security Issues
Testing Personnel
Inadequate training of Test Monitors or School Assessment Coordinators.
Failure to read/understand/sign the Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Inadequate staffing of testing rooms or computer labs (student-Test Monitor ratio should be, at most, 30:1, if possible).

10. Possible Test Security Issues
Test administration
Failure to follow the Test Monitor Directions or script instructions.
Failure to follow district guidelines for taking breaks during the testing session.
Cheating by a staff member or student.
Inappropriate materials posted on walls.

11. Possible Test Security Issues
Missing materials
Test material left unattended.
Secure materials not returned.
Especially accommodated materials, such as scripts and CDs (proportionally, the test material most likely to be missing).

12. Test Monitor Responsibilities
Before, During and After
Testing Sessions
(see Roles and Responsibilities in the Procedures Manual)

13. Read, understand and sign the Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Before Testing Day
Read, understand and sign the Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Review the Test Monitor Directions.
Know how to contact your School Assessment Coordinator during testing.
Know what behaviors and activities should be documented and how to report them.
Know where to pick up testing materials on the day of the test.

14. Know your procedures for:
Before Testing Day
Know your procedures for:
Restroom and other breaks during testing (individual student and whole room).
Disruption due to inclement weather or other special circumstance.
Student illness.
Student perceives an error in a test book.
Starting and stopping testing for each segment of test.

15. Before Testing Day
Know your district’s testing schedule and assigned testing days.
If students are taking a test on more than one day, know your building’s plan for keeping documents secure between testing sessions.
Remove or cover any prohibited materials in your room (e.g., visual aids that directly relate to test content).
Know which students will receive an accommodated version of the test.

16. Testing Day: Before Students Arrive
Sign out your secure test materials from your School Assessment Coordinator.
Keep your testing materials secure until the testing session.
Verify that students receive their assigned testing materials.
Know what to do if a student’s online test will not resume.

17. Testing Day: Before Students Arrive
Make sure you have test materials for the students taking the test.
For online tests, make sure you have Student Authorization Tickets and Seal Codes.

18. Testing Day: During the Test
Monitor your students during all testing sessions.
Follow the Test Monitor Directions script exactly.
Answer questions by re-reading scripted directions.

19. Testing Day: During the Test
For online testing, make sure students are logged in and taking the correct test.
Ensure that staff do not review test items during any test session.
Notify your SAC of any testing irregularities as soon as possible.

20. Activities Prohibited During Testing
Posting visual aids that directly relate to test content.
Revealing test items (from sections of the test not yet taken).
Reading test items to students (unless using a math or science script or administering the MTAS)
Copying or ing test items.
Helping a student answer test items.
Changing a student’s answers.
Defining terms used in test items.

21. Test Security Notification Form
If a breach of test security occurs:
Notify School Assessment Coordinator/District Assessment Coordinator.
DAC will contact MDE.

22. Testing Day: After the Test
Verify receipt of all test materials from students.
Keep your testing materials secure after the testing session.
Sign in your secure test materials with your School Assessment Coordinator.
Notify School Assessment Coordinator if something unusual or unexpected occurred during testing so that the Test Administration Report can be completed.

23. Bottom Line
When testing is over, a Test Monitor should be able to say “Yes” to:
Were the test materials secure at all times, and did I return all the secure materials?
Did I carefully read and follow all of the Test Monitor Directions?
Did my students arrive at their answers independently?

24. Test Security Violations
Possible Consequences

25. Possible Consequences of Violations
MDE may require district to:
Develop or amend its test administration/security plan.
Clarify roles and responsibilities of staff; establish better tracking mechanisms.
Order training of staff or send memo to staff.
Refer the matter to the Board of Teaching for possible teacher licensure sanctions.

26. Possible Consequences of Violations
MDE may:
Send a copy of its decision to the Minnesota Department of Administration – Data Privacy Violations.
Invalidate a test score – student, class, school or district.
Withhold state educational funding.

27. Division of Research & Assessment
1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN
(fax)