Test Security Policy
Test security is crucial to obtain valid and reliable test results. It is the direct responsibility of the test purchaser as well as all individuals who administer the tests and/or use the results to follow test security practices. Test instruments and items are to be used solely for testing purposes and may not be disclosed or used for any other purpose. By accepting delivery of or using Riverside Publishing tests, the recipient acknowledges the professional and legal responsibility for maintaining test security that complies with professional standards as well as state and local policies and regulations. Federal copyright law prohibits unauthorized reproduction and use of copyrighted test materials.
Test security involves procedures for shipping, receiving, storing, disseminating, and controlling test materials. Materials should be released only to qualified persons designated as participants in the local testing program. School administrators should establish a specific test security policy that denotes the proper handling and use of test materials. Administrators also should provide in-service training to ensure that all examiners clearly understand the importance and requirements of maintaining test security and, further, that they are qualified to administer the tests.
The following points constitute Riverside Publishing's test security requirements and recommendations. Should Riverside Publishing personnel learn that test security has been deliberately compromised in any manner, Riverside Publishing reserves the right to take appropriate remedial action.
- Test materials shall not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any fashion unless permission has been obtained in writing from the publisher. Reproduction of test materials without proper permission represents a violation of copyright law.
- Test instruments shall not be released, in whole or in part, to newspapers, radio stations, or other media sources for any reason.
- Test instruments shall not be released to any persons who are not directly associated with the purchasing agency's testing program. This restriction includes parents, private tutors, personnel from other schools or districts, libraries, and resale/salvage businesses.
- Practice tests may be used as an orientation to various tests. Actual test instruments shall not be used, in original or in copied form, to provide test-taking practice or to enhance test-taking skills.
- Test items, actual or similar, shall not be placed on the chalkboard for demonstration, to teach students how to mark responses, or for any other reason.
- Test items, actual or similar, shall not be used for discussion, review, or for any other purpose.
- During test administration, provisions shall be established that maintain test security between testing sessions and/or overnight.
- Between test administrations, all test materials shall be stored in a secure, locked area that is accessible only to authorized personnel.
- Directions must not be paraphrased when administering tests; this practice may invalidate results.
- Directions must be followed exactly as prescribed and administration times for timed tests must be strictly observed to avoid invalidating results.
- Some state or local laws or regulations require that a student, parent, or guardian shall be allowed to review a test and/or the examinee's responses to the test. The most appropriate response to such requests is to review the test results. Exposing actual test items is seldom appropriate or necessary. When honoring a request for test review, the review should be done in the school with certified personnel present at all times.
