In today’s data-driven education system, assessments are more than just a measure of student performance—they are a key component in evaluating program efficacy, teacher effectiveness, school accountability, and District-wide success. Assessment results are the foundation of a lot of important work. That’s why test security in our public schools is so critical.
From standardized state exams, such as DC CAPE, to in-class assessments, maintaining the integrity of these tests ensures that the results accurately reflect what students know and can do. Without proper safeguards, the validity of test scores—and the decisions based on them—can quickly come into question. Class time is precious, so we owe our teachers, students and families test results that tell an accurate story. Test security is a big part of making these stories possible.
Test security breaches can take many forms, including unauthorized access to test materials, cheating during exams, and even the misuse of testing data after assessments are completed. Strong test security ensures fairness. The testing environment should be the same for all students; the instructions should be clear and the room should be quiet and clear from distractions. Digital testing platforms have made testing more efficient. Gone are the days of filling in bubbles with a sharpened No. 2 pencil. Students who take DC CAPE have a personal access code to a testing platform application on their school-supplied laptop or tablet that makes accessing the browser impossible during the test.
However, this change has also brought more risks to be mitigated. Personal technology like cell phones need to be removed from the environment completely. Inappropriate actions, whether intentional or accidental, can compromise an entire testing cycle, affecting students, educators, and entire school communities. OSSE gives adults specific language they can say so they do not inadvertently coach a student when testing. That’s why training and protocols of school test administration and proctors are just as important as technology in preventing security incidents.
To protect test integrity, all public schools with testing grades are required to create a plan that includes secure materials storage, clear communication of rules, and clear next steps for violations. Professional development for authorized personnel, which OSSE provides year-round, is essential; schools need to understand not just what the rules are, but why they matter.
Transparency with students and families also builds trust in the system, reinforcing the importance of honest effort during statewide testing. OSSE supports this transparency by reviewing and approving each school test security plan, providing ongoing support before, during and after testing, and on-site monitoring of schools while actively testing. If something goes wrong or a staff member has a concern, OSSE has a hotline and staff ready to help. Families receive an Individual Student Report (ISR) from their child’s school.
Ultimately, test security isn't just about catching cheaters or locking down computers. It's about fairness and equity. Every student deserves an equal opportunity to show what they know on a level playing field. By prioritizing test security, schools uphold that principle—and make sure assessments remain a reliable tool for growth, support, and improvement.
Learn More
If you want to learn more about assessments, you can check out our State Assessments page, which hosts all of our Test Security and Integrity resources. Test Security and Integrity resources. We also recommend the following Data Discovery posts:
- New Name, Same High Quality: Introducing DC CAPE!
- National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): A Primer
Results from DC CAPE are also available on our website.