006. Instruction

006.3 Test and Measures

006.31 Testing

The following comprise the testing program for U.S.D. #341. Testing and the use of test results will be guided by the code of ethics which immediately follows this policy.

A testing committee will be convened in the spring of 1989, to review this policy.

Inservice activities for professional staff will be held periodically. These activities will be designed to improve the understanding and implementation of test results.

1. By the spring of 1988, the district will have a screening process for pre-kindergarten children to assist in advising parents and guiding teachers.

2. As per Kansas Statute, the Kansas Minimum Competency Test will be administered at the appropriate levels. Results of these tests will be available to be shared individually with students and parents. Group results will be presented to the Board of Education yearly.

3. The Cognitive Abilities Test will be administered to all students in grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 every year.

4. Iowa Tests of Basic Skills will be administered to all students in grades K-8, every year. Results of these tests will be shared individually with parents at Parent-Teacher conferences or by request. Each child's progress will be graphed and the results will be maintained in the cumulative folder for use by professional staff and parents. The initial graphing of data will be completed by October 1, 1987. Graphs will be updated yearly by October 1. Group results will be presented to the Board of Education yearly.

5. The Test of Achievement Proficiency will be administered to all students in grade 10 beginning with the 1987-88 school year. Results of these tests will be shared individually with students and with parents at Parent-Teacher Conferences or by request. Each student's progress will be graphed and the results will be maintained in the cumulative folder for use by professional staff and parents. The initial graphing of data will be completed by October 1, 1988. Graphs will be updated yearly by October 1. Group results will be presented to the Board of Education yearly.

6. The Career Planning Program will be administered to all students in grade 11. Results of these tests will be shared individually with students and with parents at a parent program or upon request. The results for each student will be maintained in the counselor's folder for use by professional staff, students and parents.

1. Administration and staff should provide adequate orientation or information to students prior to and following the test administration. Explanations of the nature and purpose of the test and test results should be in a language that the student can understand.

2. Test results should be utilized with other relevant information about students so that the test is viewed in perspective and false claims and misconceptions are avoided.

3. Tests should be administered under standardized conditions established by the test publisher to ensure reliability and validity of test results.

4. Testing should take place in the best possible environment. Test-taking should be supervised at all times.

5. Prior coaching or dissemination of test information and materials, except where expressly permitted, can invalidate test results. Test security is a professional obligation.

6. Test manuals explicitly state the purposes and applications for which the tests are recommended and identify special qualifications required to administer and interpret it properly. Administration and staff should be familiar with and follow these guidelines.

7. Teachers should receive adequate inservice about testing principles, the concept of measurement error, and interpretation of obtained test scores.

8. Administration and teachers should take great care in informing the parents, students, and public about testing information. The welfare of the test taker should be the criteria for determining the use of test results.

9. Teachers should examine the test and determine how well the test matches curriculum. Teachers should not "teach to the test" but should consult with administration for decisions about possible modifications of curriculum.

10. Combined with other measures of performance, achievement test scores can contribute to decisions concerning accountability, instructional program, and curriculum planning. Great care should be taken not to over-interpret test results.

11. Accuracy of graphing test results is a must in maintaining students' rights to accurate records.

12. Confidentiality of individual test results is the responsibility of every staff member. Information will not be shared with other individuals except in consulting relationships for professional purposes and only with persons clearly concerned with the individual situation.

13. Test results will be securely maintained in the cumulative student records.