AP Security Breach Causes Scandal

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Kiyoshi Koiwai in News

Casey Koiwai

Chronicle Reporter

In response to a testing breach on the May 5 AP Calculus exam in which a student brought in a phone and reportedly took photos, the school issued a new policy that the students must not bring any personal items into the testing area. These include backpacks, purses, gym bags, and books. Students are responsible for where to store their belongings and if it is stolen or damaged, the student is liable for anything that happens.

Heather Brown, college counselor, and Raul Grijalva, SAS counselor, did not disclose any details about what happened during and after the AP Calculus exam other than to say it is ongoing process with College Board. Principal Alejandra Sanchez said, ” [We will] continue with security measures…[the student did] violate a rule.”

“If a student is caught with a cell phone, they will be asked to leave the testing area,” said Brown. “Even if you had it in your pocket, you will be asked to leave and store it safely away from the testing location. Sometimes the proctor will be nice and store our phones in a box while testing, but it not their responsibility for our phones.

Then on the AP Literature test on May 6th, a female student was caught with her cell phone and was asked to leave. And again on May 13th on the AP Language test, a male student was caught with his phone and asked to leave.

“[Hollywood High School] has always enforced College Board’s rules,” said Brown, “We increased testing security above and beyond while putting the inconvenience on the students.”

According to the College Board bulletin on AP exams, “A student observed with any of the any of these devices during the testing or breaks may be dismissed from the exam room, and the device may be confiscated.” Included among the devices are cell phones.

“College Board reserves the right to decline to score an AP Exam or cancel an AP Exam score when, in its judgement, any of the following occurs…[in order to] …prevent any students from gaining an unfair advantage,” according to the bulletin.

Students in the AP calculus test were concerned that their test scores were going to be cancelled. Brown responded by saying that “everyone’s test scores are safe and there is no problem so far…[unless] if a group of students scores are negatively affected then [the school] will respond accordingly.”

Before the testing, students are encouraged to eat a hearty breakfast. Students who rely on Breakfast in the Classroom for nutrition are unfortunate, because College Board’s hard 8 a.m. start time prevents students from eating Breakfast in the Classroom.