Proctor Training

Thank you for serving as a proctor in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

testing program!

2012-2013

• North Carolina requires all test sessions to have a school staff member give the test (a test administrator) and another adult monitor the test (a proctor)

• A proctor is needed in every classroom that gives a test (a test session)

The proctor’s primary role is to help the test administrator conduct a fair and uniform test administration

What is a proctor?

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• Age 18 or older and not a K-12 student

• Cannot proctor in a classroom if you – Are related to a student in the class

(child, grandchild, niece/ nephew)

– Are related to or close friends with the test administrator

Proctor Eligibility

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• NC policy that governs everyone in testing (including proctors)

• Proctors are required to read the Testing Code of Ethics

• Proctors are required to sign the Testing Code of Ethics Affidavit after training

NC Testing Code of Ethics

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• The test administrator must count and check materials out on the morning of testing and return them after testing

• The test administrator must keep materials secure at all times

• No person may copy, reproduce, paraphrase, or discuss the test material

NC Testing Code of Ethics

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• The test administrator and proctor must be trained before the test

• The test administrator and proctor must be in the room at all times

• The test administrator must read directions exactly as written in the Assessment Guide (AG)

• Cannot clarify questions or indicate answers to students

NC Testing Code of Ethics

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• Report anything out of the ordinary that occurs during testing (a testing irregularity) to the school test coordinator as soon as possible

• Protect confidentiality of students at all times

NC Testing Code of Ethics

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• Examples of unethical practices to be reported to the school test coordinator:– Encouraging students not to do their

best

– Using secure test items for instruction

– Changing student responses

– Explaining or paraphrasing the test directions

• Sanctions: civil and criminal prosecution

NC Testing Code of Ethics

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• Test materials must be counted and checked out on the morning of testing and counted and returned after testing

• The proctor cannot be alone with or handle test materials

• Students cannot remove test books or answer sheets from the test session

• Test books and/ or online tests are not to be read or discussed by anyone

• Test books cannot be copied

Test Security

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• Minimize any distractions or interruptions that occur

• Rooms must be quiet and well lit

• Student desks should be cleared

• Desks must be 3 feet apart and facing forward

• Wall displays of test taking tips or test related content must be removed or covered

Classroom Conditions

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• Cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed in the test session– This includes proctors, test

administrators, and students

Classroom Conditions

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• Students are given all materials needed for the test and cannot use their own – Students may use their own No. 2 pencils

• Student desks must be cleared of everything before the test begins

• The test administrator must pass out materials according to the directions in the script– For example, “I am going to give each of

you a blank sheet of paper”

Materials Distribution

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• The proctor can help students find the right place in the test book or on the answer sheet

• The proctor must walk around to monitor students during the entire test

• The test administrator and proctor must remain in the room during the entire test

Test Administration

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• The proctor cannot – Read the directions to students

– Assist students in answering questions

– Change student responses

– Answer student questions• The proctor can respond to student

questions by saying, “I cannot answer your question, just do your best.”

Test Administration

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• The proctor must remain in the room at all times unless there is an emergency

• Students who have an emergency or need to go to the restroom must be escorted by a proctor or another adult

• Minimize time out of the test session

• Minimize disturbance to other students

Student Emergencies

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• Proctors must actively monitor students during the entire test to ensure that:– Students are marking answers on the

correct part of the answer sheet

– Students are using a No. 2 pencil

– Students who have a problem (pencil breaks, restroom break) are helped with little distraction to other students

– Students have a calculator active part of the math test have a calculator

Monitor Students

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• Proctors cannot help students or indicate answers, which includes:– Telling students to look at a question

again

– Making a facial expression or gesture

– Explaining or rephrasing any of the test

Monitor Students

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• Students with special needs may have a testing accommodation documented

• The proctor must be trained to monitor the accommodations in his/ her test session

• In an accommodation test session, some procedures may be different than what you would expect

Accommodations

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• Report irregularities to the school test coordinator on the day it occurs. Examples:

– Not following directions/ script in the AG

– Paraphrasing test directions

– Leaving students unsupervised

– Giving students instruction before the test

– Failing to cover/ remove wall displays

– Giving students additional time

– Cheating or suspected cheating

Report Irregularities

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• Examples:

– Student illness or emergency

– Reading or tampering with test books or answer sheets

– Failing to return originally distributed number of materials

– Failing to appropriately provide accommodations

– External distractions (fire alarm, bell rang)

– Cell phone in test session

Report Irregularities

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• Conduct a fair test administration

• Any information learned about students is private and cannot be shared with anyone, including the student or the student’s parent. For example:– Accommodations– Test scores– Specific answers to test questions– Overall test behavior

Student Confidentiality

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Proctor’s Guide available at: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/

accountability/policies/

Contact your School Test Coordinator with any questions.

If you have any serious concerns about the testing at your school, contact the CMS

testing department at StateAndFederalPrograms@cms.k12.nc.us.