Section 1.462  Uniform Annual Consumer Education Proficiency Test

a)         Section 27-12.1(b) of The School Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 122, par. 27-12.1(b) requires that the State Board of Education furnish to each school district a uniform Annual Consumer Education Proficiency Test to be administered by each school district to those pupils of the district in grades 9 through 12 who elect to take the test.

b)         Any pupil who takes the test, which no pupil may do more than once in any school year, and who achieves a score thereon which is not less than the score established by the State Board of Education, as provided in subsection (d) of this Section, shall be excused from having to receive instruction in consumer education otherwise required by Section 27-12.1(a) of The School Code.

c)         Test Development

The State Board of Education will annually develop a Consumer Education Proficiency Test:

1)         which measures student proficiency in the area of consumer education; and

2)         which can be administered in a uniform manner throughout the state.

d)         Proficiency Score

The minimum score for passing the Consumer Education Proficiency Test will be 70 percent correct answers, based on a pilot test taken by a representative sample of Illinois students who have completed course work in consumer education and who have teacher-assigned grades A or B.

e)         Test Distribution

Not later than September 15 of each year, the State Board of Education will send the following items to each school district in the state that serves students in grades 9 through 12.

1)         Copies of the Uniform Annual Consumer Education Proficiency Test and the corresponding answer sheets.

2)         An answer overlay indicating the correct response to each item on the test.

3)         A format for scoring the test, which shall be used to determine each student's raw score and whether or not the student's score is at least equal to the minimum proficiency score established pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section and specified on the scoring form.

4)         Instructions needed to ensure uniform test administration including the date − established pursuant to subsection (f) of this Section − on which the test shall be given to students in grades 9 through 12 who elect to take test.

f)          Dates of Test Administration

1)         The test shall be administered annually on either the last Tuesday or Wednesday in January.

2)         There may be a year in which a school, for reasons beyond its control, is unable to administer the test on either of the regularly scheduled dates. In that situation, the district must submit a written request for an alternate test date for that school.

g)         School District Responsibilities

School districts serving students in grades 9 through 12 shall have the following responsibilities regarding the Uniform Annual Consumer Education Proficiency Test.

1)         Student Notification

Districts shall annually provide to all students in grades 9 through 12 and/or their parents or guardians a written notice at least ten (10) school days prior to each test date, which shall at least include:

A)        the date(s), time(s) and location(s) of test administration;

B)        the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this Section; and

C)        the procedure students shall use to indicate they wish to take the test.

2)         Test Security

Districts shall establish test security measures which shall at least provide:

A)        that no copies of the test or answer key shall be made; and

B)        that the answer keys and, except during administration of the test, all copies of the test shall be kept in a secure location to which persons who are not involved in the administration of the the test do not have access; and

C)        that persons involved in administering the test do not reveal test questions or answers to students prior to administration of the test.

3)         Student Test Results

Within 45 days after each test date, districts shall provide to students and/or their parents or guardians a notice which shall include:

A)        the student's test score; and

B)        a statement that the student has demonstrated proficiency as required in subsection (b) of this Section and is excused from receiving instruction in Consumer Education; or

C)        a statement that the student has not demonstrated proficiency and must receive instruction in Consumer Education as required by Section 27-12.1(a) of The School Code, or the student may take the test again in a subsequent school year.

4)         Temporary Student Records

Districts shall maintain student test results in the "Student Temporary Record" as defined in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 375.10 (Student Records).

5)         Reporting Requirements

Upon the written request of the State Superintendent of Education, districts shall provide information related to the testing (e.g., test scores, grade level distribution, and item results) within 30 days of each test date.

(Source:  Added at 11 Ill. Reg. 3073, effective February 2, 1987)