Test Results and Score Reporting

Test Scores and Passing Standards

The TASC and TASC-ASL have been designed to elicit a representative sample of a candidate's sign communication proficiency. The videotapes from the TASC and TASC-ASL are scored on a five-point scale using a holistic scoring process. The principle underlying the holistic scoring process is that performance during the interview will be evaluated on the basis of overall sign communication proficiency. That is, while a candidate is provided with tasks across a range of communication levels, scorer judgments will be based on how well the candidate communicates overall.

In holistic scoring, scorers evaluate the effectiveness of responses in terms of a set of overall descriptions of communication. The scoring process is holistic in that the score assigned to a candidate's performance reflects the overall effectiveness of the candidate's communication. For the TASC and TASC-ASL, "sign communication proficiency" is defined as the ability to communicate successfully both expressively and receptively.

At least three scorers view each videotape and, working in collaboration, rate the candidate's proficiency. Persons selected to be scorers are experts in sign communication. All have extensive experience in the education of the Deaf, ASL instruction, or a related area. Scorers, as well as interviewers, can be individuals who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or hearing.

Scorers use the TASC or TASC-ASL holistic rating scales to assign an overall score to the candidate's performance. The holistic rating scales present the criteria on which the candidate' performance is evaluated.

Each scale is a five-point scale, with "E" the lowest rating and "A" the highest. Each point of the scale represents a degree to which effective communication is dem-onstrated in the candidate's performance. The score point descriptions reflect typical levels of performance at each score point. Although the score assigned corresponds to one of the score points, individual responses may include attributes not specifically mentioned in the rating scale and/or attributes of more than one score point.

The passing score for the TASC and TASC-ASL (i.e., the minimum level of sign communication proficiency required for an entry-level educator to perform successfully in Texas schools) is set at Level C. TEA adopted the passing standards based upon recommendations of committees of Texas educators. Thus, performances rated at Levels A, B, or C are considered to be passing performances on the TASC or TASC-ASL.

NOTE: On the TASC-ASL, candidates must respond only in ASL; use of non-ASL signing, including non-ASL grammar, will hurt a candidate's performance and may lower the candidate's holistic score.

The Analytic Feedback Scales
The TASC and TASC-ASL Analytic Feedback Scales in the test preparation manual for TASC and TASC-ASL provide candidates with additional information that further defines the criteria for effective sign communication. As a part of the scoring process, candidates who do not pass the test receive feedback on their score report indicating the performance characteristics in which they may need improvement. For the TASC and TASC-ASL, these performance characteristics have been defined as range of communication, comprehension, and intelligibility, as demonstrated through fluency, vocabulary/grammar, and use of space.

Reporting Your Test Scores

Your score report will be available to you via your ETS testing account. It will provide information about your passing status and other performance information. Also provided is an explanation of how to read your score report. (See Test Scores and Passing Standards for information on the passing requirements for TASC and TASC-ASL tests.)

Score reports for TASC and TASC-ASL are posted by 5:00 p.m. Central time on the score reporting date. Scores are viewable for 90 days.

Your scores are automatically added to your certification file and made available to TEA and to your EPP (if applicable). Your score report is for your information only; do not submit it with your application for certification. Under no circumstances will ETS or TEA release your score information by phone, fax, e-mail, or in person.

Paper score reports are no longer mailed. It is suggested that you print a copy of your online score report for your permanent records.

NOTE: Application for certification does not proceed automatically based upon receipt of your scores by TEA. To apply for certification, you must go to the SBEC website and follow the application for certification instructions.

Delay of Test Scores

Under some circumstances, scores may be delayed.

Scores for newly developed tests may be delayed in order to set passing scores.
Scores may be delayed due to problems with registration, failure to comply with the policies and procedures set forth in the Registration Bulletin, and/or with instructions given by test center personnel.
Scores will be delayed if there are problems with your payment. See Fees for Tests and Related Services for more information.
Your scores may be permanently voided if you are completing certification requirements through an Educator Preparation Program and you have not provided proof that you have approval to test (i.e., a TEA ID number from your Educator Preparation Program). See Approval to Test for more information.

Score Reporting Dates

Test Date	Score Reporting Date
11/22/08	12/22/08
4/18/09	5/18/09

Scoring Services

Score Verification
Score verification services can be requested through your ETS testing account or by completing the Score Verification Request form and mailing it to the address on the form with the correct payment. Requests are limited to a one-time score verification for any one test. See Fees for Tests and Related Services for information about payment. Your request must be submitted online or postmarked within six months of the test administration date.

The results of the score verification process will be available within four to six weeks after receipt of the request and payment. In the event that the score verification process results in a change in your score, you will be notified, the score verification fee will be refunded, and a corrected score report will be posted to your ETS testing account and transmitted to TEA. If the original score is confirmed, you will be notified and your fee will not be refunded.

Expanded Diagnostic Feedback Service
The Expanded Diagnostic Feedback Service offers a comprehensive review of examinees' responses by selected scoring leaders in order to provide detailed and customized feedback identifying the specific problem areas that most contributed to their nonpassing scores. This service is available to all examinees with nonpassing scores for TASC (072) and TASC-ASL (073) exams taken during the 2008-09 testing year.

To request Expanded Diagnostic Feedback, examinees should complete the Expanded Diagnostic Feedback Request form and submit it along with payment. See Fees for Tests and Related Services for information about fees and payment policies. Requests must be received within 90 days of the date of the test administration for which the service is being requested. Expanded Diagnostic Feedback will be mailed within one month of receipt of the request and payment.

Cancellation of Test Scores by You

After taking a test, if you decide that you do not want your scores reported, you may submit a request to cancel them. The TASC/TASC-ASL program will cancel your scores upon receipt of a completed Score Cancellation form. This form is also available at test centers.

Your Score Cancellation form must be received within five business days of the date on which you took the test. If you choose to cancel your scores, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.

If you request that your scores be canceled, they will not be reported to you, to TEA, or to any EPP. Your scores will not be entered into any TASC/TASC-ASL records; therefore, after the cancellation of your scores, you will not be able to have your scores reported for any purpose.

Cancellation of Test Scores by ETS and TEA

ETS takes reasonable security precautions in developing and administering TASC/TASC-ASL tests and processing test scores with a view to ensuring that no test taker has an unfair advantage over other test takers. Accordingly, TEA reserves the right to withhold and ultimately cancel your scores due to misconduct and/or if TEA deems there is a reason to question your scores' validity or legitimacy (including, but not limited to, a violation of the rules set forth in the current Registration Bulletin, including the Test Center Procedures and Regulations, and the procedures communicated to you, orally or in writing, at the test center).

In such cases, ETS will notify relevant parties of TEA's decision.

Further action may be taken, including denying, revoking, and/or suspending a teaching credential or certificate. Other actions, as described in Test Center Procedures and Regulations may be taken as deemed appropriate by TEA and/or ETS.

Testing Irregularities
"Testing irregularities" refers to test administration problems that may affect an individual or groups of test takers, including without limitation, administrative errors (such as improper timing, improper seating, defective materials, and defective equipment); improper access to test content; and other disruptions of test administrations (such as natural disasters or other emergencies). When testing irregularities occur, ETS may decline to score the test, or cancel the test score at TEA's discretion. When, in TEA's sole judgment it is appropriate to do so, test takers will be given the opportunity to take the test again as soon as possible without charge.

Identification Discrepancies
When, in ETS's judgment, or the judgment of test center personnel, there is a discrepancy in a test taker's identification, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center and/or ETS may decline to score that test, or cancel that test score.

Misconduct
When ETS or test center personnel find that there is misconduct in connection with a test, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center and/or ETS may decline to score the test, or withhold and ultimately cancel the test score. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, noncompliance with the Test Center Procedures and Regulations.

Invalid Scores
ETS may also cancel scores if, in its judgment, there is substantial evidence that they are invalid for any other reason. Evidence of invalid scores may include, without limitation, unusual answers and inconsistent performance on the test. Before canceling scores pursuant to this paragraph, ETS notifies the test taker in writing about its concerns, gives the test taker an opportunity to submit information that addresses ETS's concerns, considers any such information submitted, and offers the test taker a choice of options. The options include voluntary score cancellation, a free retest, or allowing TEA to make a decision whether to accept the scores.

Confidentiality of Information

All test materials, including videotapes, are the property of ETS; however, TEA and ETS recognize your right to control the information about you that is stored by them. Their policies are designed to safeguard that information from unauthorized disclosure.

Your score information is intended only for you and for your Educator Preparation Program (if applicable). However, background information, as noted during the registration process, is reported to the state of Texas and some institutions.

ETS will not release your score information at the request of institutions or agencies except:

for use in research studies, scoring, and statistical analyses approved by the TEA that preserve your anonymity.
when information is required under compulsion of legal processes (Your score record and the documents you completed that are retained at ETS may be released to 3rd parties, e.g., government agencies, parties to a lawsuit, etc., if requested pursuant to a subpoena.)
when the TEA requests copies of scores that have been reported to educator preparation programs
Under the Higher Education Act Title II section 207 of 1998, the U.S. Department of Education requires all states that require testing for licensure to provide that agency with annual performance data for students completing their state-approved teacher preparation programs. If you complete your preparation program in a given cohort year, your preparing institution will collect and forward your score information to the state for inclusion in the federally mandated educator preparation performance report. The report will contain aggregate data only, and will not include any information that identifies examinees.

Note that whenever ETS has confirmed that you have submitted a TASC or TASC-ASL score directly to an educational institution, agency, or district in satisfaction of one of its requirements, ETS will respond to requests for score verification from that recipient.

TASC and TASC-ASL videotaped interviews may be used for training interviewers and scorers and in new test preparation materials. Test taker information, such as names and addresses, is not included when videotaped interviews are used for these purposes. Interviewer and scorer training is essential to ensure that tests are administered and scored in a fair and consistent manner. The use of your videotaped interview will benefit future test takers by helping to improve the training of interviewers and scorers, just as the administration and scoring of your test will benefit from the use of prior test takers' videotaped interviews. Test preparation materials demonstrate how the test is administered and the skills that are necessary to succeed.

ExCET - Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas