DOE looks into report
of improper help
on progress test

The state Department of Education is investigating allegations that Waianae Intermediate School eighth-graders were given some questions and answers to prepare for the 2005 Hawaii State Assessment.

The assessment is a series of reading and math tests to determine if schools are making adequate yearly progress in meeting federal standards under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Waianae Intermediate School is one of 24 Hawaii schools that will undergo restructuring in the next academic year for repeatedly failing to meet annual math and reading performance targets.

The 2005 Hawaii State Assessment tests are given in March and April to 95,000 students statewide in third, fifth, eighth and 10th grades. Eighth-graders at Waianae Intermediate began taking the reading tests Tuesday.

DOE officials halted all tests at that school Friday after an anonymous employee reported that two review sheets were distributed with actual questions from the test booklet.

Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto and other DOE officials emphasized at a news conference yesterday that clear guidelines are given to the schools with strict security measures to protect the integrity of the testing process.

They said they don't know yet if there was actually a security breach and, if there was, whether it involved deliberate cheating or was an attempt to help students feel comfortable about taking the test.

They said they will take appropriate action "to ensure that the integrity of the Hawaii State Assessment is maintained."

Some or all of the students might have to retake the test, depending on results of the investigation, Hamamoto said.

She said Waianae Intermediate scores will be examined closely in August "for any unusual performance gains."

Selvin Chin-Chance, head of the Test Development Section, said he expects the investigation to be completed within a few days. New tests will be ordered and given to the students if necessary, he said.

Robert McClelland, Planning and Evaluation Office director, said the review sheets in question had multiple choice items that appeared similar to actual test questions.

He said the investigation will determine how and what happened and how widespread it is. Security practices will be reviewed to see if any changes are necessary, he said.

He said the tests are delivered to test coordinators at the schools in packets of five in cellophane binders a day or two before the tests are scheduled. They're supposed to be kept in a secure location and not opened until the test is given, he said.

Chin-Chance said schools are allowed to prepare students for the tests with sample questions in the test administrator's handbook, but they can't use any material from the tests.

They may customize review sheets to meet their needs as long as they use questions in the handbook, he said.

All schools have been asked to reinforce security measures for standardized tests and report any irregular activity to DOE administrators.

"We're pleased that someone brought this to our attention," Hamamoto said.

She said there has been "a lot of talk about the tests being difficult," but DOE administrators believe students can meet the standards.

She said she visited Waianae Intermediate several weeks ago and the teachers and students were working hard. "A lot of what we stress in a practice-based classroom was evident. I'm confident Waianae Intermediate will do well (on the tests)."

Board of Education Chairman Breene Harimoto said the board is "extremely concerned about any irregularities" and "very pleased" with Hamamoto's quick response.