Los Altos High School’s Testing Center now only serves students with approved accommodations and individualized learning plans, no longer allowing non-accommodated students to take assessments in the room. 

“Teachers and students coming in and out became too loud for the students who were already testing, with or without accommodations,” Testing Center Coordinator Alba Hernandez said. “In other Testing Centers, people are not allowed to enter once a testing session starts to avoid any disruption.”

Student volume in the Testing Center has reduced, both benefiting and disadvantaging students and teachers.

“I’m sad that a lot of students have lost access to the center, but it’s resulted in a quieter testing environment for those with accommodations,” Hernandez said.

While limiting access to the center has helped those with accommodations, the change has created challenges for both teachers and students who relied on the center for make-up assignments.

“Before the change, I used to send students who needed to take a test to the center, and it was a great place to do so,” history teacher Candida Diaz said.

The change was implemented following Winter Break in response to academic dishonesty. Additionally, teachers are now required to drop off tests or quizzes for students no later than 8:15 a.m, an effort to reduce distractions while students are testing.

The Testing Center was created in January 2024 following a need for quiet testing spaces.  Previously, the space allowed students both with and without accommodations to make up tests or quizzes. However, several faculty members raised concerns about students misusing the space, prompting the administration to implement the change.

“The administration and I want to emphasize the importance of academic integrity,” Hernandez said. “We expect all students to uphold the testing center standards.”

Since the new policy’s implementation, Hernandez estimates that the number of students who use the Testing Center has dropped by approximately 50%.

With the changes, students who use the Testing Center say it continues to provide an effective and non-distracting environment. 

“More than 99% of the time, no one in there is taking the same test as me,” junior Harshini Nagappan said. “You’re not stressed by the sound of pages flipping and being behind everyone else.”

But without access to the center, teachers must return to scheduling their own make-up tests during alternative times, making it difficult for them to facilitate and supervise make-ups.

“It’s harder for teachers because we can’t see our students who are taking the tests outside the classroom,” Diaz said. “It’s also distracting for students to test outside because they’re preoccupied by what’s around them.” 

Though the new policy has already been implemented, Hernandez and others hope to improve the center and eventually reopen it to all students. 

Harshini suggested creating a space specifically for students to make up assignments, while keeping the Testing Center exclusively for students with accommodations.

“The testing center is a great resource for any student, and it shouldn’t be fully taken away from other students,” Harshini said. 

Hernandez is also considering long-term changes, including forming a committee of teachers, students and counselors who are focused on improving the Testing Center. She also hopes for official recognition from the District for the Center, which could lead to increased funding and additional resources.

“It’s not a perfect system,” Hernandez said. “In my mind, there’s always room for improvement.”

Hernandez hopes to find the balance between accessibility and academic integrity that will allow the center to reopen for all students.

“As educators, we carry the responsibility of shaping young minds and guiding them to recognize the serious consequences of poor choices, especially when those choices place their personal integrity at risk,” Hernandez said.