PROCTOR TRAINING; A PROGRAM S STRENGTH. Illinois Fire Service Institute University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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1 PROCTOR TRAINING; A PROGRAM S STRENGTH Illinois Fire Service Institute University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2 MISSION Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Helping Firefighters do their Work through Training, Education, Information and Research The Curriculum & Testing Office To come along side Program Directors and Managers, supporting their efforts of curriculum management, ensuring IFSI is a leader in producing quality training and evaluation materials.

3 WHO WE SERVE The Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) is the statutory fire academy for Illinois, serving firefighters throughout Illinois and the world. It is operated as a continuing education and public service activity by the University of Illinois. Delivers more than 15,000 class hours to students on campus, online and at regional training centers throughout the state The Champaign campus includes 28 acres of real-life training props for intense training such as live-fire structural burns, hazardous materials, collapsed buildings, high-rise buildings, trenches, vehicle and agricultural scenarios. This list is not exhaustive. The grounds continue to develop as more props are added. IFSI has a Learning Resource and Research Center that houses the Firefighter Life Safety Research Center and a library dedicated to the fire service, making information available to the public and first responders. In FY2015 IFSI delivered training to 66,924 students, serving departments in all 102 Illinois counties.

4 PROCTORING: STANDARDS FOR EXCELLENCE Exam Security Adherence to strict guidelines and policies to protect test integrity Consistency in implementation of such policies and procedures to protect impartiality Exam Administration Assuring the student that upholding such security and consistency (however daunting it might appear to be), is what protects the integrity of the exam and maintains the value of that certification/accreditation being obtained

5 THE ROLE OF A PROCTOR A Proctor has the responsibility for assuring that each and every exam is administered in a standardized way to prevent any unfair advantages A Proctor must observe test takers for the duration of the exam to assure there is no unethical behavior to threaten exam integrity and security throughout the process A Proctor has the responsibility of providing an environment for testing that is distraction-free as much as possible A Proctor is responsible for documenting any disruption, misconduct, breach of security or other such issue(s) necessitating explanation and clarification of circumstances

6 NOT JUST A TEST More than just a test ; the exams being proctored are crucial for the futures of individuals pursuing them Firefighter and special operations training Instructor, officer, and management exams Promotional, challenge, and re-certification exams Proctors provide a vital service to individuals who are working hard to attain their goals in pursuit of the future they envision and the work it will enable them to do

7 HOW ONE BECOMES A QUALIFIED PROCTOR Must be IFSI Field Staff - Instructor I (trained & teaching) Recommendation from Program Manager Online Course Completion and Quiz Complete an exam administration that is monitored by another qualified Proctor Proctor has to sign a Memorandum of Understanding All paperwork is submitted to Testing Office Deputy Director signs off, thus finalizing process IFSI utilizes a pool of 190 proctors

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9 PROCTOR ASSIGNMENTS Proctors are in a database and available for selection by any program manager when setting up classes Our Resource Management System (RMS) allows Testing Office to provide exam kits to the Proctors for the scheduled exams IFSI s Regional Testing also relies on its pool of Proctors every month to administer exams at its eleven sites throughout the state

10 PROCTOR SUPPORT Testing Office sends out quarterly s providing procedural updates and reminders Testing Office Staff provides immediate feedback (when necessary) upon receipt of completed exam kits Random audits conducted during exam administrations (by Program Managers and Testing Office Staff) In process of developing a recertification process

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12 EXAM ADMINISTRATION PREPARATION Prepare as much that can be controlled before the exam Check exam kit References policy/procedures in Proctor Resource Manual Contact Testing Office if needed Thereby allowing maximum focus on what cannot be controlled the day of the exam Logistics of running exam administration Response/addressing concerns of students ID/admittance issues

13 STRENGTH TRAINING FOR PROCTORS Changing the mind-set of just a proctor We invest so much in course instruction and skills training. As such, it is vital to realize the value of a proctor s role due to exams being a reflection and culmination of a student s course-long effort and hard work History of excellence in the field of firefighting This same pursuit of excellence should be true for proctoring when maintaining standards for testing

14 STRENGTH TRAINING FOR PROCTORS Understanding the importance of a proctor s role and responsibilities: For a student The exam is the final step to securing that certificate of achievement/verification of qualifications For a testing office The administration of the exam must be consistent and the exam integrity maintained at all times For the proctor The proctor enforces policies and procedures, and documents the exam administration for the testing office The proctor is a resource and advocate for the student in providing assistance to navigate the exam process

15 STRENGTH TRAINING FOR PROCTORS Proper training, along with the best tools and resources in the field, will afford the maximum benefit of what a proctor can do-- for students keeping them well informed for the testing office maintaining highest standards and consistent exam administrations each time

16 PROCTOR RESOURCE MANUAL Resource Manual Provides step by step guidance, quick referencing Assures dissemination of necessary information Exam materials Visual guide to navigating paperwork Online Information Available 24/7

17 PROCTOR RESOURCE MANUAL Contents Exam kit checklist (double-check for materials received) Step by step instructions; before, during and post exam Time keeping card (formula for determining total exam time and designated marker times) Notes to the Proctor regarding exam security Laminated testing signs, sample answer sheets and additional time keeping card Pocket folders for Test Administrator Report forms and Exam Agreement forms

18 MEETING THE CHALLENGE Meeting the challenge of how to achieve exam integrity and assuring test security, is how we strive for excellence Test security is non-negotiable Helping students through this rigid exam process is how we successfully accomplish these goals Ultimately, by being well prepared and well informed, our Proctors achieve a higher level of professionalism in exam administration

19 IFSI HAS A LISTSERV IFSI created a listserv for sharing ideas and processes without reinventing the wheel regarding policy/procedures/documents/etc fireservicediscussion@listserv.illinois.edu If you would like to join the list, please Janis at: hoopr@illinois.edu