4024 Assessment Administration and Security

The purpose of all testing and assessments is to measure students’ knowledge, skills or abilities in the area tested. All staff members are prohibited from engaging in any behavior that adversely affects the validity of test scores as a measure of student achievement. This policy applies to all national, state, and local assessments, including both standardized and general classroom assessments.

1. Assessment Responsibilities

a. Each building principal, in consultation with the Superintendent and classroom teachers, will be responsible for:

• overseeing the scheduling of state administered assessments, and ensuring that all assessments, including make-up testing, is completed within relevant testing windows

• obtaining Standards, Assessment and Accountability Updates from the Department of Education and circulating the relevant portions of those updates to other staff members

• informing the board of education of changes to the Nebraska Student –Centered Assessment System Security Standards; and

• signing and enforcing the Nebraska Student –Centered Assessment System Security Agreement.

b. Every classroom teacher or other staff member who administers assessments is responsible for:

• complying with Student –Centered Assessment System Security Procedures; and

• taking all reasonable and prudent steps to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all academic testing, including statewide assessments.

2. Security Violations and Cheating

a. Classroom assessments

Staff members who suspect students of having cheated on a classroom assessment should conduct a reasonable inquiry and impose consequences on the student consistent with classroom rules and the student handbook.

b. State Accountability Tests

Staff members who suspect a breach of security on State Accountability Tests, must promptly report their suspicious to the building principal or superintendent. The superintendent must notify the Department of Education’s Statewide Assessment Office and follow the Department’s protocol for Reporting and Investigating Test Security Violations.

c. Staff members who engage in or enable students to engage in academic dishonesty in any testing or assessment will be subject to discipline up to and including the immediate cancellation of their employment contract.

Revised July 12, 2019