Testing Integrity – FDOE Regulations and Procedures

Your community has worked hard all year. Staff have planned and executed effective teaching, students have studied and grown, and parents have motivated their students to keep on moving forward. They complete the statewide assessments; everyone feels great and then you are notified that the scores are invalidated. What a nightmare?!? In the best-case scenario, you minimize the impact by identifying the discrepancy, appealing and attempting to minimize the amount of score invalidated. Worst case scenario, you lose a year of hard work and progress and the belief in the leadership of your administrative team is compromised. It is not a great place to be. “I didn’t know” is not appropriate as an appropriate response to this scenario.  School administrators are responsible for knowing this information. With testing season currently underway, Florida Charter Institute wanted to make the information available to ensure that your school does not end up being a case study in test integrity. 

Ensuring the integrity of assessments is a critical priority for the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). To uphold the validity and reliability of test results, the FDOE has established comprehensive regulations and procedures governing test security.

Florida Test Security Statute (Section 1008.24, Florida Statutes)

This statute outlines prohibited activities to maintain test security, including:

• • Providing examinees with access to test questions prior to testing.

• • Copying or reproducing any portion of secure test materials.

• • Coaching examinees during testing or altering their responses.

• • Making answer keys available to examinees.

• • Failing to follow security protocols for the distribution and return of secure test materials.

• • Having untrained or unsanctioned proctors facilitating the testing room. 

Violations of these provisions are considered a first-degree misdemeanor, subject to penalties as defined in sections 775.082 or 775.083 of the Florida Statutes.faa.fsassessments.org

State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.042: Test Administration and Security

This rule mandates the secure handling and administration of tests required by various Florida statutes. Key provisions include:

• • Preserving the confidentiality of test questions during development and validation.

• • Prohibiting the copying or reproduction of test materials by individuals involved in test administration or scoring.

• • Ensuring that examinees are not assisted or coached during testing.

• • Maintaining strict procedures for the storage, distribution, and return of secure test materials.

Detailed information on this rule is available on the Florida Administrative Code website.

Florida Administrative Rules

The FDOE provides detailed guidelines to ensure test security, including:

• • Test Irregularities and Security Breaches: Test administrators must report any irregularities (e.g., disruptive behavior, technical issues) immediately. Security breaches, such as the unauthorized recording of test content, require prompt reporting and may involve law enforcement.

• • Reporting Procedures: Districts are required to submit written reports of test irregularities or security breaches within 10 calendar days of identification. Reports are submitted through the FDOE’s ShareFile site, following specified procedures.

For comprehensive policies and reporting procedures, refer to the FDOE’s official documentation.

Florida Department of Education Home

Local District Policies

Individual school districts may have additional policies to uphold test integrity. For instance, Miami-Dade County Public Schools has established standards and guidelines covering:

• • Roles and responsibilities in test administration.

• • Security of test content.

• • Training requirements for school personnel.

• • Procedures for handling and managing test materials.

 

These guidelines aim to ensure the accuracy and validity of all test scores.

Dade Schools API

Florida Charter Institute wishes you all a successful testing season.