Security of the Test Environment
The secure browser provides a secure, online testing environment in which a device is restricted from accessing prohibited computer applications (local or internet-based), copying, or otherwise sharing test data. The purposes of the secure test environment are to maintain test security and provide a stable testing experience for students across multiple platforms. The security of assessment instruments and the confidentiality of student information are vital to maintaining the validity, reliability, and fairness of the results.
All test items and test materials are secure and must be appropriately handled. Secure handling protects the integrity, validity, and confidentiality of test items, prompts, student information, and test results. Any deviation in test administration must be reported as a test security incident to ensure the validity of the test results.
It is the responsibility of each person participating in the administration of the ELPAC to immediately report any violation or suspected violation of test security or confidentiality. The site ELPAC coordinator is responsible for immediately reporting any security violation to the LEA ELPAC coordinator.
Requirements
All people who have witnessed, been informed of, or suspect the possibility of a test security incident that could potentially affect the validity or security of the assessments should report such breaches to a site ELPAC coordinator or LEA ELPAC coordinator. Note that only LEA ELPAC coordinators and site ELPAC coordinators may report the incident using the STAIRS/Appeals process and, if directed, file an Appeal. Review the information in the Identifying Testing Improprieties, Irregularities, and Breaches and Appeals Submission (as necessary) subsections of this manual, and then refer to the CAASPP and ELPAC Security Incidents and Appeals Procedure Guide for additional instructions.
Table 1 through table 4 describe security requirements for the test environment during various stages of testing. The test environment refers to all aspects of the testing situation while students are testing and includes what a student can view, hear, or access (including access via technology).
Before Testing
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Instructional materials removed or covered | Instructional materials must be removed or covered, including, but not limited to, information that might assist students in answering questions. This includes material that is displayed on bulletin boards, chalkboards or dry-erase boards, or charts (for example, wall charts that contain literary definitions, maps, mathematics formulas, graphic organizers, etc.). |
| Student seating |
For group administrations, students must be seated with enough space between them to minimize opportunities to look at each other’s work—for example, students may be assigned staggered seating or be seated in every other chair or workstation position—or they should be provided with tabletop partitions. For K–2 one-on-one administration, it is recommended that the TE sit side by side with the student for the Listening, Reading, and Writing domains, and face-to-face or at a 90-degree angle for the Speaking domain. For all Speaking one-on-one administrations, it is recommended that the TE sit across from the student or at a 90-degree angle. |
| Signage |
To promote optimum testing conditions, place a “TESTING—DO NOT DISTURB” sign on the door or post signs in halls and entrances rerouting hallway traffic. “Unauthorized Electronic Devices May Not Be Used at Any Time During the Testing Session” signs should be posted in the testing environment so that they are clearly visible to all students. |
During Testing
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Quiet environment | Provide a quiet environment free of talking and other distractions that might interfere with a student’s ability to concentrate or might compromise the testing situation or environment. |
| Student supervision | Students must be actively supervised by a trained TE (and proctor, if applicable) and are prohibited from accessing or using unauthorized electronic devices that allow access to outside information, communicating among students or with other people outside the testing environment, or photographing or copying test content. This includes any device with cellular, messaging, or wireless capabilities, but is not limited to cell phones, smart watches, tablets, cameras, and electronic translation devices. |
| People in the testing room | Only testing staff and students who are actively testing should be in the testing room. Unauthorized staff or other adults, including students’ parents/guardians, must not be in the room during testing. |
| Access to allowable resources only | Students must only have access to, and use of, allowable resources (refer to the Establishing Appropriate Testing Conditions subsection for examples) that are permitted for each specific assessment (or portion of an assessment). This includes access to medical supports and devices that may be integrated into other technology devices. Use of such devices may require additional monitoring or a separate test setting to maintain test security. |
| Access to assessments | Only students who are testing may view items. In some instances, a trained TE may also have limited exposure to items in the course of properly administering the assessments; however, even this TE and other trained staff may not actively review or analyze any test items. |
| Testing through secure browser | Administration of the computer-based ELPAC is permitted only through the secure browser. The use of third-party accessibility software or devices is permitted only if the student has been assigned the permissive mode designated support. |
During and After Testing
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| No access to responses | LEA ELPAC coordinators, site ELPAC coordinators, ELPAC TEs, and other staff are not permitted to review student responses to the assessment in the testing interface or students’ notes on scratch paper. |
| No copies of test materials | Unless needed as a print-on-demand designated support or braille accommodation, no copies of the test items, stimuli, reading passages, or writing prompts may be made or otherwise retained. |
| No access to digital, electronic, or manual devices | No digital, electronic, or manual device may be used to record or retain test items, reading passages, or writing prompts. Similarly, these materials must not be discussed with or released to anyone via any media, including fax, email, text message, social media websites, etc. |
| No retaining, discussing, or releasing test materials | Descriptions of test items, stimuli, printed reading passages, or writing prompts must not be retained, discussed, or released to anyone. |
| No reviewing, discussing, or analyzing test materials | LEA ELPAC coordinators, site ELPAC coordinators, ELPAC TEs, and other staff may not review, discuss, or analyze test items, stimuli, reading passages, or writing prompts at any time, including before, during, or after testing. Students should be informed that they may not discuss or share test items, stimuli, reading passages, or writing prompts with anyone during or after testing. |
| Keeping all test materials secure at all times | Printed materials such as Writing Answer Books for K–2, print-on-demand designated supports, scratch paper, the DFAs, Examiner's Manuals, Test Books, Answer Books, and documents with student information must be kept in a securely locked room or locked cabinet that can be opened only with a key or keycard by staff responsible for test administration. The device on which downloaded files, such as DFAs, temporarily reside should be secured. |
| No retaining of test “tickets” or any materials created to assist students with logging on to the assessments | All students’ ID information must be collected at the end of each test session, stored securely, and then destroyed securely. |
After Testing
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| No test materials used for instruction | Test items, stimuli, reading passages, or writing prompts must not be used for instruction. |
| Maintain security while entering student results into the DEI | LEA staff entering student results into the DEI or THSS should be in a private location, away from students. Staff entering information must have signed the Test Security Affidavit online. |
| Destroy test materials securely | Upon a student’s completion of the assessment, printed test items or passages, scratch paper, and notecards or paper that include student logon information must be collected and inventoried, and then immediately shredded. Printed DFAs must be shredded at the end of the test window. Unused Writing Answer Books for K–2 should be handled per the Initial ELPAC or Summative ELPAC Packing and Return Instructions included in the test materials shipped to the LEA. |
| Return materials securely | Return materials according to the instructions on the Initial ELPAC or Summative ELPAC Packing and Return Instructions included in the shipment of paper special version test materials. Refer to the After Testing subsection of this manual for instructions on what to do with paper test materials after testing. |