The most important aspect of state-wide standardized test administration is to ensure that the test score best represents what a student knows and is able to do. For this reason, ethical testing practices, including pre-test activities and instruction, are paramount in making inferences about student ability and instructional quality. Therefore, if students are coached or taught only the content specific to a certain test, their test scores may not be valid indicators of their level of mastery for a specific content area. The DC CAS is an untimed test. As a result, all students should be encouraged to thoroughly review their answers before completing each section of the test. School personnel should not discourage students from reviewing and changing answers.
To ensure that all state assessments are accurate reflections of what the District's students know and are able to do, the following training modules will be used to provide added supports to LEAs and schools in need of additional and more intensive test administration guidance:
2016 Districtwide Assessment General Observation Check List
Test Administration and Environment Training
Social Media and Standardized Testing
Parent Involvement in State Testing