An educator keeps in confidence secure standardized test materials and results, and maintains integrity regarding test administration procedures.

Guidance (Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators, 2022): When standardized tests are administered, educators should maintain the confidentiality of those parts of the standardized test materials that are to remain confidential such as actual test items and test booklets in accordance with state law, regulation, and testing policy. This standard applies to all educators, whether licensed or non-licensed. Licensed educators should be reminded that this standard is in addition to conduct prohibited by law and the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Rules Governing Test Security, Testing Violations, and Alleged Testing Improprieties. The State Board may take direct action to revoke, suspend, or place on probation, the license of an educator whose conduct violates this standard without the filing of an ethics complaint.

Discuss: (The following scenarios are used by permission from the by Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Practices Commission Educator Ethics Toolkit.

Scenario 1: Jamie R. is a high school mathematics teacher in an urban district. While proctoring the state science assessment, she notices that several students are struggling. As she walks around the room, she starts to help some of the students by pointing to the correct answer. By the end of the testing period, most of the students have received some assistance from Ms. R. While most of the students are thankful for the help, a few feel that her actions communicated that they couldn't do the work on their own and needed her help.

Scenario 2: After administering the state assessments in the spring, a colleague divulges to you that several students were struggling with the test and that she helped them with a few of the questions. With the recent poor test results for the school, the teacher explains that she was really helping the district not lose state funding.

What possible issues/concerns might this scenario raise?

How could this situation become a violation of the law, the Code of Ethics or other school /district policies?

In this situation, what are some potential negative consequences for the teacher, for the students and the school community?

What responses/actions will result in a more positive outcome and/or what proactive measures