Assessment Security Training Slides
Texas Student Assessment Program
Annual Mandatory Staff Training
State & Federal Compliance
Test Security & Confidentiality
Required procedures, strictly prohibited actions, and immediate reporting protocols for all campus testing personnel.
Target Audience
Test Administrators & Campus Staff
Governing Standards
TEC §39.030 & 19 TAC §101
Mandatory Prerequisite
Signed Oath Required Prior to Testing
Statutory Authority & Requirements
Legal Foundation & Security Oaths
Texas Legal Code
- TEC §39.030: Test security violations are direct violations of Texas state law.
- 19 TAC Chapter 101: Sets statewide assessment rules and mandatory procedures.
- State Sanctions: Violations can trigger educator reprimand or certificate revocation.
Intentional compromises carry civil and criminal liability.
Mandatory Security Oath
- Signed Prior to Access: Cannot handle or administer materials without signed oath.
- Legally Binding: Confirms personal understanding of all security rules.
- Post-Testing Reaffirmation: Signed immediately upon concluding test sessions.
Valid for all state assessment administrations for the school year.
Every staff member with access to materials or testing rooms must be fully trained and sworn.
Standard Operating Standards
Required Administration Procedures
1. Environment Setup
- • Cover or clear all instructional displays and wall aids.
- • Space desks to prevent student line-of-sight viewing.
- • Post official "Testing — Do Not Disturb" signs on doors.
Verify Before Student Entry
2. Read Script Verbatim
- • Read boxed directions exactly as written in the manual.
- • Never summarize, paraphrase, or add informal hints.
- • Provide only designated, approved accommodations.
Exact Manual Compliance
3. Rosters & Seating
- • Maintain detailed seating chart showing student locations.
- • Log start/stop times and monitor relief sign-ins.
- • Verify student identity and matching test tickets.
Auditable Record Keeping
Accommodations must be verified prior to testing launch — never assume or guess accommodations.
Vigilance in the Testing Room
Active Monitoring: What It Means
REQUIRED: Active Monitoring
- Walk the room quietly and continually observe all students.
- Ensure students are working in the correct section and test.
- Verify students do not have unauthorized cell phones/devices.
- Ensure students confirm final test submission before leaving.
100% Unbroken Visual & Physical Attention
PROHIBITED: Staff Inattention
- Grading papers, lesson planning, or writing curriculum.
- Using a mobile phone, smart watch, tablet, or laptop.
- Reading personal books, novels, newspapers, or magazines.
- Engaging in non-essential conversations with colleagues.
Inattention is a Reportable Testing Irregularity
Never leave an active testing room unattended. Arrange an authorized, sworn relief monitor for breaks.
Zero Tolerance Violations
Strictly Prohibited Actions
Assisting Students
Never give clues, hints, gestures, rephrase questions, define test vocabulary, or prompt a student to recheck an answer.
Viewing or Capturing Content
Never read, discuss, copy, screenshot, photograph, or duplicate secure test items, reading selections, or student responses.
Tampering with Responses
Never change, erase, or alter student answers. Falsifying answer documents is a serious offense under state law.
Unauthorized Electronics
Smartphones, smartwatches, and unauthorized electronic devices must be powered off and collected before testing starts.
If a student asks for clarification on a test item, respond: “I cannot help you with the test; do your best.”
Distinguishing Incident Types
Procedural Irregularities vs. Serious Violations
Procedural Administrative Errors
Procedural Irregularity
Administrative missteps without intent to compromise test validity.
- • Student logged in under another student's test ticket
- • Student provided wrong test form or unapproved accommodation
- • Incomplete seating chart or attendance record keeping
Action: Documented locally and remediated with TEA.
Serious Direct Compromise
Serious Security Violation
Willful actions directly compromising test security, integrity, or results.
- • Coaching, prompting, or indicating correct answers
- • Viewing, copying, photographing, or discussing test items
- • Tampering with responses or falsifying security records
Action: Immediate TEA inquiry & SBEC certificate sanction.
All incidents — whether procedural or serious — must be reported to the CTC without delay.
Chain of Custody Protocols
Secure Materials Handling
1. Secure Check-Out
- • Pick up materials only on testing morning from secure room.
- • Count every test ticket, booklet, and scratch paper with CTC.
- • Sign the chain of custody log verifying item counts.
Dual Verification Mandatory
2. In-Session Security
- • Secure tickets and booklets must never be left unattended.
- • Lock testing screens when students step away from desks.
- • Collect scratch paper immediately upon test completion.
Zero Unattended Materials
3. Reconciliation
- • Return all materials to CTC immediately following testing.
- • Account for all scratch paper, tickets, and reference charts.
- • Complete and sign the final check-in custody roster.
100% Inventory Returned
Never store secure testing materials in your classroom overnight or in an unlocked drawer.
Required Action Sequence
Reporting Concerns & Incidents
01
Intervene
Stop unauthorized behaviors quietly and preserve room order.
Immediate Action
02
Notify CTC
Contact Campus Coordinator immediately. Do NOT delay.
Same-Day Notice
03
Statement
Submit objective written account: who, what, times, and witnesses.
Factual & Signed
04
TEA Report
District Coordinator submits incident report through TEA portal.
State Filing
Non-Retaliation Protection: Texas law strictly protects educators who report testing irregularities in good faith.
TEC §39.030
Test Day Execution
Test Day Readiness Checklist
Before Testing
- Signed Security Oath on file
- Instructional materials removed
- Student accommodations verified
- Test tickets & rosters counted
During Testing
- Read manual directions verbatim
- Actively monitor 100% of the time
- No computers or personal tasks
- Maintain rigorous seating chart
After Testing
- Account for all tickets & paper
- Return all items immediately to CTC
- Sign completion section of oath
- Report any irregularity promptly
Questions or Testing Concerns?
Contact your Campus Testing Coordinator (CTC)
Integrity First
Protecting Student Outcomes
Campus Operations Section
STAAR Interim Assessments
Local Campus Logistics
Campus Interim Testing Procedures
Specific campus testing schedules, device readiness protocols, restroom management, and end-of-session materials check-in.
Interim Purpose
Predictive Growth Data
Platform
Texas Secure Browser / Cambium
Security Standard
Full State Security Mandates Apply
Campus Schedule & Day Plan
Campus Testing Windows & Schedule
1. Testing Windows
- • Tuesday, October 27th - Reading Interim
- • Thursday, October 29th
- • Subject breakdown: RLA, Math, Science & Social Studies by grade level.
Campus Testing Calendar
2. Morning Timeline
- • 7:00-7:35 Pick up test bucket in conference room
- • 8:10 AM: Students seated; take up cell phones, student backpacks in hall, verify test tickets, get ready, .
- • 8:30 AM: Read directions verbatim; launch test.
Punctual Launch Required
3. Lunch Plan
- • Modified lunch schedule begins at [12:00 PM].
- • Non-testing classes remain in quiet zones.
Campus Lunch Schedule
Staff must arrive at the testing check-out room promptly — no materials released without an ID badge.
Digital Administration Protocol
Student Device Setup & Test Tickets
1. Device Readiness
- • Ensure Chromebooks/devices are 100% charged before test day.
- • Have power charging carts unlocked and accessible.
- • Provide wired headphones for designated text-to-speech.
Check the Afternoon Prior
2. Test Tickets & Login
- • Launch the Texas Secure Browser application only.
- • Distribute test tickets individually; verify student legal names.
- • Write the daily Session ID clearly on the front whiteboard.
Verify First Name & TSDS ID
3. Tech Troubleshooting
- • If app freezes, restart the device — student progress is saved.
- • Swap immediately with a pre-staged campus loaner laptop.
- • Call Campus Tech Support at [Ext. XXXX] for assistance.
Do Not Attempt Manual Fixes
Never let a student begin testing on an unassigned ticket. Check the name on the screen before they click Begin.
Campus Room & Corridor Operations
Hall Passes, Restrooms & Staff Relief
1. Restroom Protocol
- • Only one student permitted out of the room at a time.
- • Student must close laptop lid / pause test before stepping away.
- • Student must carry the official colored campus testing pass.
Hall Monitor Stationed in Halls
2. Staff Relief Rotation
- • Dedicated roving relief monitors will provide 15-minute breaks.
- • Relief monitor signs into room seating chart relief log.
- • Testing room must never be left unmonitored for any second.
Document Relief Sign-In
3. Early Finishers
- • Student submits test and shows administrator confirmation screen.
- • Collect scratch paper and test ticket immediately.
- • Student may read a physical book; no electronics allowed.
Maintain Silent Testing Atmosphere
Cell phones remain powered off and collected until the entire campus concludes testing.
Session Conclusion & Support Directory
Materials Return & Campus Contacts
1. Materials Return
- • Return bucket to [Testing Room / Library] immediately.
- • Re-count all test tickets, used/unused scratch paper.
- • Sign the check-in roster with CTC verifying all materials.
Immediate Afternoon Return
2. Absent Students
- • Clearly record absent students on testing roster sheet.
- • Secure absent student test tickets in the return envelope.
- • Campus make-up testing runs through [Insert Date].
Make-Up Testing Plan
3. Campus Contacts
- • CTC: [Insert Name] • Ext. [XXXX]
- • Tech Lead: [Insert Name] • Ext. [XXXX]
- • Admin On-Duty: [Insert Name] • Ext. [XXXX]
Day-of-Test Support Team
Thank you for ensuring secure, supportive, and valid testing environments for every student!
