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Security Plan for State Assessments

Security Breaches 

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 Dublin City Schools as inappropriate use or handling of tests 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 is not exhaustive. 

Any concerns regarding test security must be reported to the System Assessment Director immediately. The Assessment Director will conduct an investigation and will decide whether the incident requires further assistance from the GaDOE. All 

findings that constitute a violation of testing procedures will be referred to the Georgia Department of Education. 

Examples of Test Violations include but are not limited to the following: It is a breach of test security if anyone: 

  • Coaches examinees during testing, or alters or interferes with examinees’ 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.
  •  Erases, marks answers, or alters responses on an answer document.
  • Instances of violation of copyright laws must be reported immediately to the GaDOE. 

Once testing materials are distributed to schools, the building principal and school test coordinator have the responsibility of ensuring that test materials are in a secure place and that appropriate measures are followed in the collection and distribution of all test materials. In addition the individuals mentioned above are responsible for ensuring appropriate training takes place for all staff administering state assessment within their school; understand the importance of following test protocol and are familiar with the consequences if violations occur. 

Failure to safeguard test materials or to comply with test administration procedures could adversely affect an individual’s certification status. Such must be reported to the GaDOE and may be referred to the Educators Ethics Division of the Professional Standards Commission. 

Steps for Reporting a Testing Irregularity 

School Test Coordinator: 

  • Communicate with the System Test Coordinator about a possible testing irregularity. 
  • System Test Coordinator will provide guidance to investigate the possible testing irregularity. 
  • Written narrative must be provided by all parties involved in the irregularity. ● Return all documentation to the System Test Coordinator. 

System Test Coordinator: 

  • Collect Testing Irregularity Forms and documentation from School Test Coordinators 
  • Compile documentation for each incident reported. 
  • Call the assessment specialist in the Assessment Administration Division to determine appropriate coding for student answer documents. (Additional information about using the Portal to report irregularities will be shared during each pre-administration webinar.) 
  • Include appropriate information and documentation on the GaDOE Form
  • The Assessment Administration Division will inform the local district if it is required to report the irregularity to the Professional Standards Commission