Security During High Stakes Testing

[amble26]

I am currently working in home care and have an interview coming up for a school nurse position, I was wondering if anyone could let me know what security measures they take with diabetic/asthmatic students during high stakes testing to ensure security is not breached.

I have read all about working with the teacher, test administrator, iep team, administration

What I have also read is that students can have breaks during scheduled breaks in the testing, but they must be monitored during breaks and may even require separate seating for testing. But what if you have a medical emergency during test- How do you ensure security is not breached?

Thanks so much for any help.

[Jolie, BSN]

I'm not entirely sure I understand your question. Are you concerned that if a student requires attention for a health problem during a standardized test that s/he could be accused of cheating and disqualified from the test?

I think that is pretty unlikely. In grade school and middle school, the testing doesn't get any more "high stakes" than required standardized state and national testing. These are administered primarily to assess districts or buildings as a whole and don't result in much attention to individual scores. The kids, generally speaking, hate taking them and have little desire or incentive to cheat because the results mean very little individually.

The same holds true for high school, with the possible exception of Advanced Placement tests and the ACT or SAT. AP tests are gien at the end of certain courses for possible college credit, depending on the student's final score. While there may be incentive for cheating, I don't believe there is much opportunity. Those tests are given in secured classrooms and proctored by someone other than the regular class instructor. Students who need to move around during the test are accompanied by a staff member. And certainly a student experiencing a health emergency would receive 1:1 attention from a staff member, so I don't see any opportunity for cheating.

In our area, the ACT and SAT are not offered during the school day. Tests are gien at various locations around our metro area. Some locations are schools, some not. They are secured and monitored by staff associated with the testing companies. Some of the test staff are school teachers, but during the test, they are representing the testing company, not their respective schools. No school nursing services are available during the test sessions.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Been in school nursing for 20 years...there is no High Stakes testing that cannot be postponed due to an emergency.

[mycsm]

students have 504's written for specific testing times. Ihave diabetics test before a test, then again at the next break in the test, (1-2 hrs), if there is an emergency, the book gets closed and does not get opened again.

[Wave Watcher]

I go strictly off their 504's. Never had an issue with testing procedures.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I've never heard it described as "high stakes testing". And I'm not sure I completely understand your question either.

As the others have said, we do what the 504 says we can do.

[amble26]

I was specifically told to prepare to answer the question.

What procedures would you follow for a diabetic/asthmatic student during high stakes assessments to ensure testing security not be breached?

From what I have read diabetic/asthmatic students may not necessarily have a 504, they can have a Diabetes Medical Management Plan but that does not necessarily account for testing, ect.. It just has info regarding when to check, what steps to take for certain glucose results.

Do you think it would sufficient to answer the question:

I would follow the 504 plan if they have one in place and ensure that I am available to the students outside the testing classroom to provide any care needed and keep students from being able to access information that may upset testing security. Also check in with my students during scheduled breaks to ensure that they are operating at their optimal levels.

I did read that if a student has unstable bloodsugars they can be excused from the test that day.

Any other help?

[schooldistrictnurse]

Can you reliably be available outside the testing site during any/all testing? That sounds unrealistic to me. You can be available by phone to triage any problems. Students can be excused from testing during unstable blood sugars if written into their 504 plan, or if you have an informal accommodation to that effect. The medical management plan doesn't typically address educational issues, so it wouldn't belong there. Another point you could add would be to have the parent request a 504 BEFORE testing to address these issues if there isn't one in place.

[Sudsy]

Another point you could add would be to have the parent request a 504 BEFORE testing to address these issues if there isn't one in place.

YES! Any parent who doesn't have a 504 for their child with diabetes should get one!!!!