THE IMMORALITY OF TEST SECURITY

In this essay the author argues that test security in student testing is a practice of questionable morality and efficacy, despite the long- standing use of the practice by test-makers. Arguing that the practice is an unthinking immoral habit, with its roots in premodern medieval views of the teacher-student relationship, the author proposes that ne w policies and practices be formulated to protect the inherently vulne rable student in the same way that laws now protect adult test-takers and experimentees. The author argues that secrecy prior to, during, an d after a test be scrutinized carefully and minimized through the use of explicit principles-an assessment Bill of Rights-that put the stude nts' rights on a par with those of the test-maker and that honor the m odern rights of informed consent and due process.