Policy 8120 Implementation Procedures - Testing: State and Local Responsibilities and Protocols

Alignment with the current Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) goals and objectives.

Validity and reliability of the assessment.

Number of students impacted by the assessment.

Effects of the assessment on delivery of instruction.

Cost of the assessment.

Applications of the assessment data.

Accessibility of the assessments.

Be the sole individual authorized to procure assessment materials for the HCPSS.

Create and publish the HCPSS assessment calendar, which will include all testing windows for assessment administrations and serve as the official document to guide school planning for those administrations.

Make available the approved assessment list.

Coordinate all state-mandated assessments and related activities at the district level.

Train School Test Coordinators (STCs) on the state, local and vendor-specific policies and procedures and guidelines necessary to administer all assessments in their schools.

Communicate all necessary information related to testing to the STCs as it becomes available.

Inform schools of the arrival dates and pick-up procedures for assessment materials and the requirements for the secure receipt and storage of those materials.

Inform STCs of the requirements and procedures for storing assessment materials in schools.

Direct and coordinate the distribution of assessment materials to, and collection of assessment materials from, schools.

Develop implementation procedures for state-mandated and district-selected assessments.

Investigate and report testing violations.

Sign a certification of training form and/or a non-disclosure agreement.

Appoint an administrator as the STC and a certificated employee as the alternate STC before the beginning of the school year, and notify the LAC of any changes in appointment.

Facilitate the release of the STC to attend required training meetings.

Ensure that a locked, secure, non-instructional area is available for storage of all assessment materials before, during, and after the administration.

Distribute assessment results as required and safeguard electronically stored data and assessment items within their schools.

Advise students of proper behavior and testing violations in accordance with this policy, Policy 9200 Student Discipline, the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct, and protocols specific to individual assessments.

Provide ongoing notification to school employees and the community of the school’s assessment schedule/calendar.

Be the sole individual authorized to receive assessment materials from the LAC, the MSDE, the HCPSS, and its vendors for his/her school.

Oversee the administration and security of state-mandated and district-selected assessment programs in their schools.

Facilitate identification and application of assessment accommodations for special populations through collaboration with MSDE, the LAC, case managers, parents, and HCPSS employees.

Ensure that only qualified employees are designated as test administrators/examiners, proctors, and accommodators.

Train test administrators/examiners, proctors, and accommodators in alignment with state, local, and vendor-specific policies and procedures. Training includes expectations for employee behavior and assessment security procedures.

Maintain documentation and accounting of assessment administration according to the implementation procedures outlined by the LAC.

Attend each required training meeting. (The alternate STC will attend in the STC’s absence).

Sign a certification of training form and/or a non-disclosure agreement.

Direct and coordinate distribution and collection of assessment materials within the school according to established procedures.

Notify the appropriate persons of discrepancies related to the inventory of assessment materials. These discrepancies include the initial receipt of materials as well as lost and damaged materials.

Make provisions for the security of assessment materials while they are in the school, including documentation of the chain of custody. The secured storage area will be under the jurisdiction of the STC.

Be the only person authorized to remove assessment materials from the secure area for assessment administration preparation activities and for actual assessment administration.

Retain the names and student identification numbers of students assessed, as well as the names of all test administrators/examiners, and accommodators, for six school years following each MSDE mandated assessment administration.

Return all assessment materials to the MSDE, LAC, or the appropriate vendor in accordance with approved procedures.

Report all testing violations immediately to the school principal and to the LAC.

Attend all required training sessions provided by HCPSS and/or MSDE to learn all required procedures for each assessment.

Adhere to all required assessment administration procedures as outlined in state and local manuals, training materials, and documents provided by the MSDE and/or HCPSS.

Sign a certification of training form and/or a non-disclosure agreement.