WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Schools tighten security for academic tests (Middletown-WTNH) _ 36,000 students are taking the Connecticut Academic Performance test this week. The test was developed 4 years ago to give educators a better idea of students skill levels. But in order to preserve the integrity of the tests school districts have developed strict procedures to prevent any tampering. News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer has the story. Welcome to the 'Fort Knox' of Middletown High School. Robert Kozaczka, Principal Middletown High: "We actually purchased separate locks that we install in that room that we only use for test taking time." This week 10th graders statewide are taking the Connecticut Academic Performance test. It measures a student's ability to think critically and solve problems. It also tabulates the performance of students district to district. Tom Murphy, Dept. of Education: "With any high stakes test - you must understand some are so interested in assisting their students - that they cross the line." Strict security procedures are now in place to prevent any test tampering by students, teachers or administrators. Schools must keep test booklets locked up in secure boxes, and each exams must be accounted for by the teacher before and after the test is given. Robert Kozaczka: "We hold the entire school in place. Everyone remains in their room until the director of guidance tells me that he has accounted for every test." Delores Allen, Teacher: "There is no specific pressure to get students to improve their scores. We want students to be better, we want the students to succeed, and that is where it's at." Schools wouldn't let us videotape the actual testing today because if there is any breach in security they could face sanctions which could include loss of teaching licenses and even criminal liability. A test tampering scandal involving the mastery tests given to elementary students broke in Fairfield at the prestigious Stratfield Elementary School 3 years ago. The principal abruptly retired soon after the state found there was an unusually high number of erasures on the mastery tests. Gary Clarke, Student: "I wouldn't want my score altered or anything like that after I finished it. It is a good precautionary measure." Test results are not only important to school districts but to communities, because realtors use that information to market homes to perspective buyers. In the past when tampering was suspected it was students who brought it to the attention of parents and administrators. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Schools tighten security for academic tests
(Middletown-WTNH) _ 36,000 students are taking the Connecticut Academic Performance test this week. The test was developed 4 years ago to give educators a better idea of students skill levels. But in order to preserve the integrity of the tests school districts have developed strict procedures to prevent any tampering.
News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer has the story.

Welcome to the 'Fort Knox' of Middletown High School.

Tests locked in room Robert Kozaczka, Principal Middletown High: "We actually purchased separate locks that we install in that room that we only use for test taking time."

This week 10th graders statewide are taking the Connecticut Academic Performance test. It measures a student's ability to think critically and solve problems. It also tabulates the performance of students district to district.

Tom Murphy, Dept. of Education: "With any high stakes test - you must understand some are so interested in assisting their students - that they cross the line."

Strict security procedures are now in place to prevent any test tampering by students, teachers or administrators. Schools must keep test booklets locked up in secure boxes, and each exams must be accounted for by the teacher before and after the test is given.

Robert Kozaczka: "We hold the entire school in place. Everyone remains in their room until the director of guidance tells me that he has accounted for every test."

Delores Allen, Teacher: "There is no specific pressure to get students to improve their scores. We want students to be better, we want the students to succeed, and that is where it's at."

Schools wouldn't let us videotape the actual testing today because if there is any breach in security they could face sanctions which could include loss of teaching licenses and even criminal liability.

A test tampering scandal involving the mastery tests given to elementary students broke in Fairfield at the prestigious Stratfield Elementary School 3 years ago. The principal abruptly retired soon after the state found there was an unusually high number of erasures on the mastery tests.

Gary Clarke, Student: "I wouldn't want my score altered or anything like that after I finished it. It is a good precautionary measure."

Test results are not only important to school districts but to communities, because realtors use that information to market homes to perspective buyers. In the past when tampering was suspected it was students who brought it to the attention of parents and administrators.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.