Board adopts district test procedures and security plan for 2025-26; state test participation rules emphasized

Carson City 'The Board of Trustees voted to adopt the district's test procedures and test-security plan for the 2025-26 school year, reinforcing state and federal rules that require broad student participation and secure handling of test materials. Ricky Medina, director of accountability and assessment, told the board that federal and state rules require testing of at least 95% of enrolled students and 95% of each reporting subgroup. "There's no opting out" for general reasons, Medina said, noting exceptions are limited to documented medical fragility or extreme circumstances the state will accept. Security procedures: Medina described the chain of custody for printed tests and online tickets, secure storage at schools, daily check-in/check-out logs for test materials, and proctoring expectations. He said teachers and site test coordinators must read test manuals and attend training; tickets for online tests are treated as highly secure material and students escorted for bathroom breaks so tickets are not removed from the secure environment. Incidents last year: Medina reported 13 irregularities in the prior year's testing administration; most were technical or accommodation issues (e.g., headphones not working or tests that shut down immediately), and one involved a teacher failing to read directions verbatim. The board adopted the plan after a motion and roll-call vote. Ending: Trustees approved the plan and asked administrators to continue site training and rigorous adherence to security procedures to protect test integrity and instructional decisions that rely on assessment results.