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

NCTA Test Center Certification
The Answers to 10,000 Questions
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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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Sample Mission Statement
 Helping members of the University of Sample and the
Greater Sample community reach educational and
professional goals by providing secure and convenient
testing services in accordance with NCTA professional
standards and guidelines.
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Sample Mission Statement
 It is the mission of the University of Sample Testing
Services to provide high quality testing, test scoring,
and instructional assessment services in accordance
with the National College Testing Association
Professional Standards and Guidelines and
governmental regulations that promote responsible
fiscal, legal, ethical, and equitable practices within an
environment of continuous quality improvement,
business innovation and technological advancement.
The services provided for student, faculty, staff,
campus, community, and business partners will be
consistently rendered with an attitude of service that
demonstrates value in human relationships, personal
excellence, human dignity, diversity, and commitment
to lifelong learning.
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Sample Mission Statement
 The mission of Sample Testing Services is to uphold
the vision and values of the institution by providing
Sample students and the surrounding community in
assessing their knowledge, skills, and abilities as they
relate to higher education by providing a variety of
testing opportunities. This is accomplished through
the use of written and computer-adapted assessment
and testing instruments. Sample Testing Services
adheres to NCTA Professional Standards and
Guidelines.
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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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Adequate Facilities
 The goal is to demonstrate facilities that provide for a
comfortable and secure testing environment
 Testing room provides an environment conducive to test
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taking
Method of proctoring appropriate and clear
Spacing/furniture prevents examinees from viewing
another examinee’s workspace/screen
Method of securing personal belongings evident
Able to assess traffic flow, check-in/proctoring stations,
waiting area, etc.
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Secure Environment
Unsecure environment
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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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Test Integrity
 Secure test materials are monitored or stored in secure
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location at all times.
Access to testing rooms is controlled when testing in
progress
Are proctoring procedures adequate for monitoring
testing
Does physical arrangement prevent examinees viewing
other examinee’s materials
Basically, make sure the test is not compromised and
examinees do not cheat
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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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Sample Confidentiality Statement
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In consideration of my employment and/or continued employment at the University of Sample Counseling &
Testing Center, I agree as follows:
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1. For purpose of this Agreement, “confidential information” is defined as information disclosed to me, accessed by
me, or otherwise known by me as a consequence of my employment and not generally known outside the Testing
Office. This includes, but is not limited to, names and personal information of clients, passwords, manual tests,
and exam keys, as well as the disclosure of the locations of confidential information.
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2. During my employment and after the termination of my employment, I will hold the confidential information
of the University in trust and confidence and will not use or disclose it or any embodiment thereof, directly or
indirectly, except as may be necessary in the performance of my duties for the University. I understand that
unauthorized disclosure could be highly damaging to the University, its faculty, staff, students, donors, or others.
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3. I will not remove materials containing confidential information from the Testing Office unless authorized to do
so by my supervisor. Any and all such materials are the property of the University. Upon termination of any
assignment or as requested by my supervisor, I will return all such materials and copies thereof to the Testing
Office.
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4. I agree to safeguard personally-identifiable data, the official records in the custody of the University, all
passwords, all manual tests, and the means and conditions of custodial security. I agree to keep such information
and means secure and strictly confidential at all times, whether on or off duty.
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5. I understand that if I violate this Agreement, I may be subject to disciplinary action, legal action, or both.
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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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Staff Training & Operations Manual
 Training materials must be written.
 We recommend that a training checklist be developed
and used when training each staff person.
 Manual – might be called something different at each
test center, but it should include written operational
procedures for center and emergency procedures.
Training materials can be included or in a separate
manual.
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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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Program Evaluation
 Test Center must have an examinee satisfaction survey
that is administered continually or periodically.
 Test Center should describe how surveys are
conducted and how they use the results – with Testing
Staff? Administrators? Others?
 An annual report for test center activities and usage is
required.
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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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Contracts/Testing Agreements
 Outside contracts are not a requirement for
certification, but if you have contracts or agreements
with testing companies and organizations, the
application asks you to list the companies you contract
with, who reviews the contracts/agreements, who
signs contracts/agreements, and who is responsible for
compliance with contracts/agreements.
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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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More Certification Standards
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 a Test Center Certification cycle is announced to the
membership, interested test centers will fill out a PreApplication. 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/all of the
requirements completed will be assigned an Advisor. The
Advisor sends complete Certification Application when test
center is ready to submit all documentation for
certification.
 Advisors answer questions, help test centers understand
requirements, and provide samples, if needed. During the
certification process for that center, the Advisor provides
the connection between test center & the TCC Committee.
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Relax and enjoy the benefits of certification!
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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