Schools seek to tamp down cheating on tests

The following is an announcement this morning from the Oconee School District:

“In response to numerous incidents of students using electronic devices to cheat, the South Carolina Department of Education has published revised test security requirements that restrict electronic devices during state testing. Those requirements say that students may not be in possession of any electronic or other device that can be used for communicating, recording, timing, creating images, or storing images during state testing. This restriction does not apply to devices documented for use in a student’s IEP, 504 Plan, or Individual Health Plan.

The following procedures will be implemented on each day of state testing in SDOC schools.

• Before the beginning of testing students will power off all electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, and place them in their book bags.
• Book bags will be placed at the front of the classroom until testing has been completed for the entire school.
• A plastic bag and label will be provided for students who do not have a book bag.
• Students who do not voluntarily turn off and store their electronic devices will have those devices confiscated and returned to them at the conclusion of testing for the current school year.

You can find the complete procedures document in the news section of the district website.”