Education task force recommends more testing security

Education task force recommends more testing security
Random audits and system of reporting and investigating among panel's suggestions.

Friday, January 05, 2007
Schools would be subject to random audits in an effort to prevent cheating on the state's standardized tests under recommendations made Thursday to the Texas Education Agency.

The agency is expected to adopt the recommendations from the Task Force on Test Security. That panel issued the recommendations in response to an investigation commissioned by the agency that found testing irregularities at 700 campuses statewide in 2005.

Last month, 592 schools were cleared of wrongdoing. Investigations remain open at 104 campuses, and four other schools have since closed.

Four Austin schools — Dobie and Murchison middle schools and Akins and McCallum high schools — remain under investigation, as does Westwood High School in Round Rock. The state cleared eight Austin and eight Round Rock campuses, as well as schools in the Dripping Springs, Hays, Leander, Georgetown, Eanes, Lake Travis and Pflugerville districts.

Austin school district spokesman Andy Welch said that the recommendations appear to be in line with current procedures and that he did not anticipate any undue burden from implementing them.

The district conducts random checks at various schools, Welch said. "We certainly welcome the principles the task force has presented to the commissioner. We believe the integrity of the test is paramount. It's why we do the random checks. We have very intensive training for those at the campus level."

Welch said the recommendations ensuring rapid resolution of suspected violations are particularly welcome.

"We've always felt with the Caveon report that it's almost a cold case file," Welch said, referring to the 2005 investigation by Caveon Test Security. "These recommendations are designed to address problems head on."

Round Rock officials attributed test gains flagged as suspicious in Caveon's report to new programs for struggling students. Spokeswoman JoyLynn Occhiuzzi said Round Rock performs random checks on teachers and students during the exam.

"We have nothing to hide. TEA staff is always welcome in our schools," Occhiuzzi said. She added that it would be helpful if schools were given more information in a more timely manner about suspected violations. "Something that could end this type of situation quicker would be welcome."

State Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley appointed the task force in August. The panel of business and education leaders — including former Austin trustee Olga Garza — also called for an analysis system to study one-time occurrences as well as trends. The system would include quicker resolution when irregularities are suspected.

"I welcome the recommendations from the task force, and we will give strong consideration to all their suggestions," Neeley said. "Over the past several years, TEA has taken a number of steps to enhance test security, but that must be an ongoing process that is regularly refined and updated."

The task force also suggested that the agency:

•assemble a panel of educators and public representatives to review and make recommendations regarding test practices and statistical procedures in test integrity analysis;

•develop criteria for triggering on-site investigations, a standardized protocol for such investigations and criteria for referrals to the newly created inspector general;

•develop procedures to ensure rapid follow-up and resolution of suspected violations;

•facilitate confidential reporting directly to the agency;

•require districts to keep test security materials and signed security oaths for five years.

"We will do whatever it takes to make sure our students' test results are valid and reliable and our testing program above reproach," Neely said.

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/01/05/5takscheating.html