Cancellation of Scores by ETS and the GaPSC

ETS takes reasonable security precautions in developing and administering GACE^® assessments and processing test scores with a view to ensuring that no test taker has an unfair advantage over other test takers. Accordingly, the GaPSC reserves the right to withhold and ultimately cancel your scores due to misconduct and/or if they deem there is reason to question your scores' validity or legitimacy (including, but not limited to, a violation of the rules set forth in the current Registration Bulletin, including the Rules of Test Participation for Teacher Leadership).

In such cases, ETS will notify relevant parties of the GaPSC's decision. Further action may be taken, including denying, revoking, and/or suspending a teaching credential or certificate. Other actions may be taken as deemed appropriate by the GaPSC and/or ETS.

Essay Similarity Detection

Each entry in your GACE Teacher Leadership portfolio, whether submitted during the original submission window or during the resubmission window, must be entirely your work. Software is utilized to scan all written commentary for overlap with previous submissions, with another test taker's submissions and with published sources, including the Library of Examples. Paragraphs or even sections of paragraphs that are substantially similar will be construed as overlap. If such overlap is detected, an investigation with the ETS Office of Testing Integrity (OTI) may be initiated and scores could be voided at any time. Information from all investigations conducted are forwarded to the appropriate state agency or institution requiring the assessment. If your task response is the subject of a review, the following steps will occur:

• Your scores will be placed on hold before scores are released.
• The appropriate state agency or institution requiring the assessment will be informed of the investigation.
• You will be informed that your task response is under review, and you will be provided the opportunity to submit additional information to OTI to support your case.
• All materials will be independently reviewed and an assessment of the case will be provided to ETS's OTI.
• You will receive a letter from ETS's OTI notifying you of the decision after the review has been completed.
• If it is concluded that your scores should be released, the hold on your scores will be removed and you will be able to view your score report online.
• If it is concluded there is substantial evidence to support cancellation of your scores, ETS will inform the GaPSC of the recommendation to cancel your scores. Based on the information ETS provides, GaPSC will review your case and make the final decision on the cancellation of your scores.
• If there is substantial evidence to support cancellation of your scores, this may be a violation of the GaPSC's Code of Ethics for Educators and may constitute sufficient grounds to take action against, revoke, suspend and/or deny a certificate and constitute grounds for legal action.