Transcript From Bogus to Radical: Get Ready to Apply for Test Center

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Pilot Program
 Involved a diverse group of volunteer test centers
 Instrumental in developing the certification process
 Some pilot sites are still working on the necessary
components to qualify for certification
 Developing this certification process required dedicated
committee members (volunteers) willing to donate their
time and offer their testing and management expertise to
formulate the procedures and forms needed to evaluate
test centers
 We will need more volunteers to be able to evaluate test
centers and offer them certification in the future.
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Selected Standards for Certification
The following eleven standards are drawn from the NCTA Professional
Standards and Guidelines posted on the NCTA web site.
The “Action” for each Standard represents how that Standard is to be
demonstrated within the Certification Application.
Mission Statement “Develop and implement a mission
statement consistent with the policies and standards set forth
in this document.”
Action: Provide a copy of the test center’s Mission Statement
which includes a reference to following the NCTA Standards
and Guidelines, and the locations where it is posted.
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More Certification Standards
Adequate Facilities “Maintain adequate physical
facilities and location suitable to the requirements
of the testing program.”
Action: Provide digital photos and annotated floor
plan showing all areas of the testing center (all
testing rooms, check in areas, offices, and secure
test storage), and traffic flow patterns that would
ensure secure and standardized testing conditions.
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More Certification Standards
Test Integrity
“Protect the integrity of the test.”
Action: Indicate procedures in place that demonstrate that the test center follows standardized
processes for the receipt, storage, and handling of
secure test material.
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More Certification Standards
Confidentiality “Protect the confidentiality and rights
of privacy of examinees and staff.”
Action: Submit a copy of the policies and procedures in
place to protect the confidentiality and rights of
privacy of examinees and staff. Test Center will have or
develop a confidentiality statement that all employees
have signed.
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More Certification Standards
Staff Training “Develop and implement appropriate
guidelines for test center operations and staff
training.”
Action: Document training practices for both current
and new staff. Submit a copy of the training materials
in use and a copy of the test center Operations or
Procedures manual with emergency procedures
included.
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More Certification Standards
Program Evaluation “Evaluate the testing program in
an on-going, systematic, and comprehensive manner.”
Action: Outline the steps taken to evaluate the testing
program. An annual report is required and should
include comparing volumes/revenue over time, results
of examinee satisfaction surveys, and departmental
work objective/goals. List how evaluations are
conducted and results are used.
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More Certification Standards
Contracts Maintain agreements with test providers.
(paraphrased)
Action: List individuals who are involved in the review,
implementation, and compliance of contracts and
agreements. Indicate the location of stored contracts.
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More Certification Standards
Testing Manager There is an “accountable manager …
responsible for the appropriate administration of
testing programs.”
Action: Identify the staff person who is responsible for
the oversight of the testing program on campus.
Identify his/her reporting line and provide a copy of the
job description.
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Test Center Staff Proctors and support staff working on
behalf of the testing program have defined roles and
receive instruction related to their responsibilities.
Their work is monitored and evaluated. (paraphrased)
Action: List all positions involved in the testing program
along with assigned responsibilities. Provide copies of
the job descriptions or outlines of the assigned duties.
Describe practices in place for monitoring and
evaluating their work.
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More Certification Standards
Services “The testing program will be represented at
various levels within the organizational structure. As
needs are identified, the program will make these
needs, and the resources required, known to the
appropriate personnel and offices in the institution.”
Action: Submit an organizational structure within
which the testing program resides (chart and/or text).
List the services provided by the test center.
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More Certification Standards
Public Relations “… Implement appropriate public
relations activities on behalf of the test center.”
Action: Describe the public relations and communication activities that support the test center. Include
published schedules, press releases, links to web pages,
and/or any documents that communicate the testing
services provided. Test centers will have or develop a
general brochure/flyer listing all of its services.
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Test Center Certification Application
 When the Certification process is launched, interested test
centers will fill out a Pre-Application. Limited numbers of
Pre-Apps will be accepted in each cycle, and there will be
several cycles each calendar year.
 From the completed Pre-Apps, centers with most of the
requirements completed will be sent a Certification
Application to complete.
 Advisors will be available to answer questions and help test
centers get information they need to complete the
Certification Application.
Let’s look at some Samples.
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Thank you for your interest in Test
Center Certification.
Please seek out any TCC Committee member to answer
individual questions. Committee members are:
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Duane Goupell, Chair
Nancy O’Shea
Steve Saladin
Buck Setter
Roberto Voci
Gayle Veltman ([email protected]) at Wichita State U.
Theresa Scott ([email protected]) at Florida Atlantic U.
Vicki Black ([email protected]) at U. of Memphis
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