Test answer sheets that are identical, that have an inordinate number of erasures or are filled out twice — one for the teacher, one for the state to grade — are some testing protocol red flags making their way to the State Office of Education.

So maybe it's time for an ethical compass.

The State Board of Education on Friday OK'd a premiere test protocol pamphlet, including what constitutes teacher cheating on U-PASS exams. Those state-mandated exams range from end-of-year tests to the high-stakes Utah Basic Skills Competency test, linked to high school diplomas. Districts also will have to train teachers only once, rather than twice, a year — but now, using state training materials for uniformity.

The testing ethics policy comes after an unusually high volume of calls to the state office from testing directors, parents, teachers and superintendents with ethical questions on the way tests are given, state testing director Judy Park said.

"(Teachers) very much want to do the right thing," Park said, "and they have felt an absence of guidance."

About five reported testing protocol violations each year are serious enough to trigger a state licensing investigation, said Carol Lear, director of school law and legislation for the State Office of Education.

But alleged violations are nearly impossible to prove, Lear said. It's tough to put children on the stand to testify before the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Committee, whose hearings run much like court. Ditto for teachers who don't want to testify for fear of being labeled a "snitch." Proving intent also is a problem; many of the accused say they're just trying to do what's best for students.

"I think there are problems out there, but it's (difficult) to get any kind of data or evidence about it ... (even) when we will get a complaint and think we have a really good case," Lear said.

But by early 2007, there should be little question on testing do's and don'ts.

The new policy manual says teachers can give practice tests and prepare students by teaching the core curriculum. But they "may not change student answers in any way, for any reason," states the pamphlet.

Other no-no's:

• Looking at a test beforehand, then altering lessons to teach to it.

• Using inflection or gestures to help students answer.

• Leaving materials containing answers on the classroom walls.

• Reclassifying a student's ethnicity to alter student group results.

• Letting students or parents supervise other students taking a test.

• Suggesting a student rethink his or her answer.

• Letting students take test materials away from the test site for recess or a bathroom break.

Violators face discipline from additional training to losing their teaching license.

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com