High school students taking new proficiency test must show photo ID

Terry Webster

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2001 | 10:11 a.m.

Students taking the high school proficiency exam this week have to show picture identification before they are allowed to pick up a pencil, Clark County School District officials said.

Those who do not have ID must have other verification, such as a yearbook photo or the word of a teacher.

The beefed-up security around the exam, which is required to get a diploma, comes in response to new laws on standardized tests. Picture identification protects the integrity of the testing program, Judy Costa, director of testing and evaluation, said.

But the measures have created some inconveniences.

At Clark High School testing was delayed by about 40 minutes Tuesday as staff tried to verify students' identities before the math portion of the exam. Some students forgot to bring or did not own picture ID.

"People were walking through the halls with yearbooks," Karen Steen, magnet school coordinator, said.

Junior McKenna Snow said staff members paged through a yearbook looking for one of the students, but couldn't find her because she was new to Clark this year.

Junior Wendi Washington said she was surprised by the strict security.

"We had to leave our backpacks at the front of the room and show picture ID," she said. "It was very organized and strict."

Sheila Ildefonzo said she wasn't allowed to use her own pencil.

"I had to use one of theirs," she said.

In response to the new laws, schools were following a 40-page document issued by the district on how to handle and administer the tests. The booklet covers all elementary, middle and high school exams that are part of the state's testing program.

The Legislative Committee on Education began looking at test security after allegations of cheating were raised last year.

According to the district's guideline booklet, examples of improper testing practices include unauthorized copying or distribution of materials, using actual test items for practice material, revealing answers, helping students during testing or losing test booklets.

Employees caught doing any of those things will be disciplined, the booklet says.

The new security measures require all school personnel -- including janitors -- to sign a statement that they have read and understand the policy on test security. The signed slips are kept under lock and key, in case questions arise.

Students who cheat also can be disciplined, the booklet states.

The high school proficiency exam includes sections on reading, writing and mathematics. Students are taking a new section on science this year, but the score will not count toward graduation requirements until 2005.

Students have eight chances to take and pass the exam. Various versions are given to prevent students from taking the same test twice. This year's version is supposed to be harder, but at least two students didn't sweat it out.

Clark High School juniors Dwayne Davison and Michael Chavez both said the math test they took Tuesday had some tricky questions, but actually seemed easier than what they expected.