SUMMARY:  This bill would amend Part 12 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A. to make tampering with state assessments a misdemeanor and to provide guidelines to identify testing irregularities.  Violators could lose performance pay raises and cumulative penalties are outlined.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Tampering with the statewide tests would include:
  • Allowing students to view test questions prior to or after administration of the test;
  • Copying any or all of a secure test booklet;
  • Providing inappropriate guidance on questions during the testing period;
  • Making answer keys available;
  • Failing to follow testing security protocols;
  • Participating in, directing, aiding counseling, assisting, encouraging or failing to report any of the above prohibited actions
• Superintendents or principals who fail to develop, implement and enforce local and state testing guidelines would be violating the law.
• If found guilty, a person violating the law could receive a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to 30 days, or both.  Also, the PSC would be required to take steps to suspend or revoke certification, and the violator would be ineligible for performance pay consideration.
• GOSA and the SBOE would annually establish statistical guidelines to use to examine state testing results to identify testing irregularities, and the SBOE would be required to invalidate individual tests where tampering has occurred.
• Violators may be subject to forfeiture of rights regarding retirement benefits.
• Penalties in this bill would be in addition to any other penalties already in effect in the law.

NOTE:  There is no mention of procedures needed to promote/place/retain students whose tests have been invalidated.