2020–21 Test Security Affidavit Guidance for ELPAC and CAASPP

This page will provide guidance for test examiners (TEs) and test administrators (TAs) regarding the Test Security Affidavit. It covers information for both the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) and the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), which includes English language arts/literacy, mathematics, science, and Spanish assessments. This information is to be used only when an assessment is being administered remotely. There is no additional guidance for assessments administered in person. (The California Alternate Assessment, which is also administered by a TE, is not administered remotely, so it is not part of this guidance.)

The TE for the ELPAC and TA for the CAASPP are roles assigned in the Test Operation Management System (TOMS). The ELPAC TE is the person who administers both the Initial and Summative ELPAC. The CAASPP TA is the person who administers any CAASPP general, but not alternate assessments.

Please note that all TEs and TAs must sign the Test Security Affidavit that is presented in TOMS the first time they log on. TEs and TAs should work to follow all the requirements listed in the affidavit.

It is understood that remote testing will bring challenges when it comes to test security. TEs and TAs will be working to assess students in a fashion that removes some of the ability to monitor what students are doing during testing. The information that follows outlines expectations:

  1. During test sessions, the TE and TA should select the mode (list or grid view) that best allows them to view the student video thumbnails in the test administrator interface. The TEs and TAs should be scrolling through the video thumbnails continually during testing to monitor students.
  2. It is expected that the TE or TA will monitor students to the best of their ability during any test session. They should watch for any signs of outside assistance being given to the student. If noticed, the TE or TA will use the remote tools to attempt to end any interactions between the student and others. If it does not stop, the TE or TA will pause the student from the assessment and contact the site testing coordinator. Please note that due to individual distance learning conditions, a student might have others in the same room while testing. This is not a security issue as long as others are not interacting with the student, looking at the test screens, or assisting the student in any way.
  3. It is expected that the TE or TA will look for signs of unauthorized technology being used during the assessment. If noticed, the TE or TA will use the remote communication tools to direct a student to shut down the unauthorized technology. If it does not stop, the TE or TA will pause the student from the assessment and contact the site testing coordinator.
  4. The TE or TA will not share Statewide Student Identifiers (SSIDs) with students in a way that would allow for another student to hear or see the given SSID. SSIDs should be shared with students through the methods described on the Spring Administration Information for Educators website.
  5. At the end of a test session, the TE or TA will ask all students to show any used scratch paper on camera. The students should then be instructed to tear up all scratch paper while still on camera. The only exception would be if the student is in the middle of a performance task; in this case, the student will be allowed to use the notes during a subsequent test session.
  6. All TEs and TAs should watch the video, Scheduling, Starting, and Stopping a Remote Test Session. Districts and schools are responsible for determining the best way to provide SSIDs while still maintaining confidentiality.
  7. Unlike assessments given at the school site, TEs and TAs will have less control over the actions of the students and those in the same location as the student. The CDE is asking that TEs and TAs work to control the test security to the best of their ability. It is expected that any issues or events that the TE or TA feels deviates from standard security should be reported. TEs or TAs will not be held responsible for any incident outside of their control during testing.