2008–2009
Before You Register

	COMPLIANCE WITH TESTING RULES

By registering on the Internet, registering by telephone, or submitting a registration form (even if your registration form is received without your signature) for the RICA Written Examination or the RICA Video Performance Assessment, you are agreeing to abide by the current Rules of Participation in the RICA and all applicable procedures and policies contained in the current bulletin and/or the current RICA Video Performance Assessment Procedures Manual and/or communicated to you, orally or in writing, at each test administration for which you have registered for the Written Examination. If you take the Written Examination, you will be asked to sign your answer document, which will contain an agreement to the Rules of Participation in the RICA, prior to testing at the site on the day of the test. If you take the Video Performance Assessment, you will be asked to sign your agreement to the Rules of Participation in the RICA upon submission of your Video Packets for scoring. Failure to sign the registration form when registering and, as applicable, failure to sign the Written Examination answer document on the day of the test or failure to sign your agreement when submitting Video Packets for scoring may result in the voiding of your test scores or in your not being allowed to test.

Rules of Participation in the RICA Written Examination

1.	COMPLIANCE: I understand that I am required to comply with the rules and requirements specified or referenced in the current bulletin, including these Rules of Participation in the RICA, and communicated to me, orally and/or in writing, at the test administration. I further understand that if I fail to comply with such rules and requirements: (a) my test results may be voided; (b) no refund will be issued; (c) no portion of the testing fee can be applied toward the cost of any future testing fees; (d) I may not be permitted to register for current or future RICA assessments; (e) my registration may be canceled; (f) I may not be allowed to test; (g) I may be required to test under controlled conditions; and (h) legal proceedings and actions may be pursued as well as any other remedies that the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and/or the Evaluation Systems Group of Pearson, a business of NCS Pearson, Inc. (Evaluation Systems), may deem appropriate. In addition, I understand that test fraud is a ground for denial, revocation, and/or suspension of a teaching or services credential, permit, or certificate.
2.	REGISTRATION: I have read and agree to the “Test Fees and Payment Policies” section of the current bulletin. I understand that if any or all fees that are applicable to me are not paid in full for all RICA assessment dates and/or assessments for which I have registered, if my registration form is not signed, or if the identity certification statement is not completed, I may not be permitted to register for current or future RICA assessments and/or my score report may not be produced and/or my score may be voided.
3.	WITHDRAWAL OF REGISTRATION: I understand that I may withdraw my registration and receive a full refund only if I withdraw before the late registration deadline for the administration date for which I have registered.
4.	ELIGIBILITY TO TEST: I understand that I may take the RICA examinations only if I have earned, at a minimum, a high school diploma, a GED, or the equivalent, or I am, or have been, a student taking courses for college credit pursuant to a career in education. I certify that I am eligible to take the RICA on the day of the test for which I have registered according to this eligibility requirement. If I am unsure of my eligibility to take the RICA examinations as stated in this rule, I understand that I may request clarification by contacting the RICA project officer at the CTC who will advise me.
5.	PURPOSE OF TESTING: I understand that the RICA Written Examination is administered for the purpose of teacher certification only and is to be taken only by individuals who are working toward a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or an Education Specialist Instruction Credential. I certify that I am taking the RICA Written Examination to satisfy part of the requirements for a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or an Education Specialist Instruction Credential.
6.	IDENTIFICATION: I understand that to be admitted to a RICA Written Examination administration I must present my valid admission ticket for that administration and show current, government-issued identification printed in English, in the name in which I registered, bearing my photograph and signature. I understand that I will be required to provide a thumbprint at the test site, copies of my identification may be made, my photograph may be taken, and/or a video recording or other security measure may be employed at the administration, which may be used for identity verification. Additional screenings may be required at test site facilities. If I do not have such identification on the testing day, I must complete a personal identification information form, which includes providing a thumbprint, and certify, under penalty of perjury, that I am the person I purport to be. If I do not have proper identification on the day of the administration, I understand that my test score will not be released unless I present proper identification by the deadline specified. If I lack a valid admission ticket or do not have proper identification and refuse to complete a personal identification information form whereby I certify, under penalty of perjury, that I am the person I purport to be, I will be denied admission to the test. If I am refused admission to the test, for any reason, I will be considered absent and will receive no refund or credit of any kind.
7.	LATE ARRIVAL: I understand that if I arrive after a RICA Written Examination administration has begun, I may be refused admission, in which case I will be considered absent. If I am admitted after the administration has begun, I will be required to sign an acknowledgment of late arrival, specifying that no additional time will be allotted.
8.	TEST ADMINISTRATION: I authorize the test administrators to serve as my agents in maintaining a secure test admin­istration. I agree to follow all reasonable instructions given to me either orally or in writing at or during the test administra­tion, including but not limited to instructions to relocate me during the test session. I agree not to communicate with other examinees or any unauthorized persons in any way during the test administration nor to engage in any other form of misconduct. I agree not to engage in behavior that would disrupt or unfairly affect the performance of myself or other examinees. I agree to sign the answer document, to write out the identity certification statement, to provide identification as specified above, and to cooperate with testing per­sonnel. If I fail to comply with these provisions, I may be dismissed from the test site, my test score may be voided without refund or credit of any kind, and other actions, as described in Written Rule 1, may be taken as deemed appropriate by the CTC and Evaluation Systems.
9.	TEST SECURITY A. TEST PROPERTY: I understand that all test booklets, answer documents, and all other test materials and any portion thereof or information relating thereto (referred to below as the “Test Materials”) are the sole property of the CTC or Evaluation Systems. I understand that my responses, without the identification of my name, may be used for research, development and implementation of testing programs, scorer training or study materials, or other purposes associated with the program. I understand and acknowledge that the Test Materials were developed at great cost and are required to be kept confidential and secure from disclosure in order to fairly and effectively perform the test functions for which they were designed. I have not received or reviewed any Test Materials prior to taking the test and no Test Materials will be available for me to review after the test. I am not permitted to take (and I will not take) any Test Materials or handwritten or printed notes (referred to below as “Notes”) reflecting or recording anything about the Test Materials from the testing room or disassemble, copy, or reproduce the Test Materials in whole or in part by hand or with the use of any electronic, or other type of, device of any nature. B. TEST MATERIALS: I understand that I will not be permitted to bring to or use during the test: Notes, cellular phones, electronic communication devices, visual or audio recording or listening devices or any device with an on/off switch, calculators, calculator watches, calculator manuals, scratch paper, or any other unauthorized aid (collectively referred to below as “Unauthorized Aids”). Throughout the test session, I will have nothing on my desk but the test booklet, answer document, pencils, erasers, and my photo-bearing identification. I may use the margins of the test booklet for any intermediate work I need to do to answer specific questions. Only answers that I record on my answer document, however, will be scored. I understand and agree that if, despite my foregoing promises and agreements in 9a and 9b above, test administrators have a reasonable suspicion that I have or may have in my possession any Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids, I will immediately turn over any such Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids in my pos­session to the test administrators at any time upon their request. If I should fail or refuse to do so, or if the test administrators believe in good faith that I have not turned over all such Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids in my possession, the test administrators may search my person and my personal possessions for such Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids and may remove them. Any such Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthor­ized Aids that I may have may be retained for as long as may be required for the purpose of pursuing the reme­dies specified in Rule 1. Test administrators, Evaluation Systems, and the CTC are not responsible for Unauthorized Aids or other prohibited material confiscated by test administrators or otherwise turned over by me. In the event of a possible breach of test security, I agree to cooperate with the testing personnel and I hereby consent to any such reasonable search and to any incidental contact with my per­son or my possessions that may occur as a result of such a search before my dismissal from the test site. More­over, I hereby waive any claim that I might otherwise have based upon any such search or contact. If I fail to comply with these conditions, my name will be reported to the CTC and Evaluation Systems; my test score may be voided without refund or credit of any kind; and other actions, as described in Rule 1, may be taken as deemed appropriate by the CTC and Evaluation Systems.
10.	NONDISCLOSURE OF TEST MATERIALS: Because of the great cost expended to develop the Test Materials, because of the obvious necessity that they be kept confidential and secure from disclosure in order to fairly and effec­tively perform the test functions for which they were designed, and because any disclosure of part or all of the contents of the Test Materials to anyone might render them unusable for future test administra­tions, I promise and agree that I will not disclose the Test Materials or any part of them (including the form, subject matter, substance, and wording of any test question or any answer thereto) to anyone for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the test administration to which such Test Materials pertain. I understand and agree that if I should violate this agreement of nondisclosure, I may be liable in damages for the costs (including redevelop­ment costs) incurred as a result of any breach of this agreement and I may also be subject to other legal and equitable rem­edies (including injunctive relief) for any such breach.
11.	TEST SESSION: I understand that the test session is four hours long. After admission to the test site, I may not leave the test site for any reason until I have been officially dismissed and all of my Test Materials have been collected by a test administrator. Once I have finished testing, or at the end of the test session, the Test Materials in my possession will be collected and I will be dis­missed. Once dismissed, I must leave the test site and I will not be readmitted.
12.	SCORE REPORTING AND CANCELLATION: I understand that my test score will be reported to me and to the CTC. My test score will also be released to the California college, university, or district intern program I indicate during registration and to any other institution, entity, or person authorized or required by law to receive this information. I understand that any information provided as part of registration may be used to report scores or to contact me regarding test- or program-related issues. My score report will be sent even if I leave the testing room before I finish the test. If, after the test administration, I wish to cancel my test score, I understand that a signed request in writing must be received by Evaluation Systems within seven (7) days after the administration date. A Score Cancellation Form will be available at the test site on the day of the test. If I cancel my test score, I will receive no refund or credit of any kind, and my test score will not be entered into any records or reported to me, the CTC, or any California college, university, or district intern program.
13.	VOIDED SCORE: I understand that if I fail to comply with the rules and requirements set forth in the current bulletin, including these Rules of Participation in the RICA, and communicated to me, orally and/or in writing, at the test administration, or if doubts are raised about the validity or legitimacy of my registration or my test score, Evaluation Systems will notify the CTC and other parties as deemed appropriate by the CTC. The CTC and Evaluation Systems reserve the right to void my test score if, in their sole opinion, there is adequate reason to question the validity or legitimacy of the test score due to circumstances within or beyond my control. Other actions, as described in Rule 1, may be taken as deemed appropriate by the CTC and/or Evaluation Systems.
14.	RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS REGARDING TEST ADMIN­ISTRATION: I understand and agree that liability for test administration activities, includ­ing but not limited to the adequacy or accuracy of Test Materials and equipment, the adequacy or accuracy of the registration and administration processes or conditions, the adequacy of test site facilities, the adequacy or accuracy of scoring, the adequacy or accuracy of score reports, the adequacy or accuracy of information provided to me in connection with the RICA Program, and the adequacy of protection of examinee information, will be limited to score correction or RICA Written Examination retake at no additional fee. I waive any and all rights to all other claims, specifically including but not limited to claims for negligence arising out of any acts or omissions of the CTC and Evaluation Systems (including the employees, agents, contractors, or professional advisors of the CTC and Evaluation Systems).
15.	PROGRAM CHANGES: I understand that the RICA Program is subject to change at the sole discretion of the CTC.
16.	OBJECTION TO RULES: If, for any reason, I object to any of these Rules of Participation in the RICA, I must advise Evaluation Systems, in writing, of the basis of my objection at least eight (8) weeks before the administration date for which I wish to register for my objection to be taken under consideration. Under no circumstances may I register after the regular registration deadline if I have such an objection. If I nevertheless object, my registration may be canceled, I may not be permitted to take the test, or my score(s) may be voided, unless I withdraw my objection in writing.
17.	RULES: I understand that should any of these rules or any other procedure or policy contained in the current bulletin be declared or determined by any court to be illegal or invalid, the remaining rules, procedures, and policies will not be affected and the illegal or invalid rule, procedure, or policy shall not be deemed a part of the current bulletin. The headings of each of the Rules of Participation in the RICA are for convenient reference only. They are not a part of the rules themselves; they do not necessarily reflect the entire subject matter of each rule; and they are not intended to be used for the purpose of modifying, inter­preting, or construing any of these Rules of Participation in the RICA. I agree that any legal action arising in connection with my registration for or participation in a test administration shall be brought in the state and federal courts governing Sacramento, California, and I consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

Rules of Participation in the RICA Video Performance Assessment

1.	COMPLIANCE: I understand that I am required to comply with the rules and requirements specified or referenced in the current bulletin, including these Rules of Participation in the RICA. I further understand that if I fail to comply with such rules and requirements: (a) my test results may be voided; (b) no refund will be issued; (c) no portion of the testing fee can be applied toward the cost of any future testing fees; (d) I may not be permitted to register for current or future RICA assessments; (e) my registration may be canceled; (f) I may be prohibited in the future from registering for the RICA Video Performance Assessment and required to take the RICA Written Examination under controlled conditions; (g) I may not be allowed to test; and (h) legal proceedings and actions may be pursued as well as any other remedies that the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and/or the National Evaluation Systems group of Pearson, a business of NCS Pearson, Inc. (Evaluation Systems) may deem appropriate. In addition, I understand that test fraud is a ground for denial, revocation, and/or suspension of a teaching or services credential, permit, or certificate.
2.	REGISTRATION: I have read and agree to the “Test Fees and Payment Policies” section of the current bulletin. I understand that if any or all fees that are applicable to me are not paid in full for all RICA assessment dates and/or assessments for which I have registered, if my registration form is not signed, or if the identity certification statement is not completed, I may not be permitted to register for current or future RICA assessments and/or my score report may not be produced and/or my score may be voided.
3.	VALIDITY OF REGISTRATION: I understand that my Video Performance Assessment registration is valid until the final submission deadline as stated in this bulletin. I understand that if Evaluation Systems does not receive my Video Performance Assessment Video Packets by the final submission deadline of the program year for which I have registered for the Video Performance Assessment, I will no longer be registered for the Video Performance Assessment and I will receive no refund or credit of any kind. I understand that if Evaluation Systems receives my materials after the final submission deadline of the program year for which I have registered for the Video Performance Assessment, they will be returned to me unprocessed.
4.	WITHDRAWAL OF REGISTRATION: I understand that withdrawal of registration is not allowed and no refund or credit of any kind will be permitted once I have submitted my registration for the Video Performance Assessment, even if I do not submit my Video Packets.
5.	PURPOSE OF TESTING: I understand that the RICA Video Performance Assessment is administered for the purpose of teacher certification only and is to be taken only by individuals who are working toward a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or an Education Specialist Instruction Credential. I certify that I am taking the RICA Video Performance Assessment to satisfy part of the requirements for a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or an Education Specialist Instruction Credential.
6.	CONFORMITY WITH REQUIREMENTS: I understand that if I submit Video Packets that do not conform to the current RICA Video Performance Assessment Procedures Manual, my Video Packets will receive a rating of “Requirements Not Met” or my score will be voided. In either case, I will not pass the RICA Video Performance Assessment, no refund of my fee will be issued, and no portion of my fee can be applied to the cost of future registration for either RICA assessment.
7.	VIDEO PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT MATERIALS: I understand that all Video Performance Assessment materials that I have submitted to Evaluation Systems become the sole property of the CTC upon their receipt by Evaluation Systems. The Video Performance Assessment materials that I submit will not be duplicated for me. The materials that I submit will not be returned to me unless Evaluation Systems receives my materials after the final submission deadline of the program year for which I have registered.
8.	SCORE REPORTING AND CANCELLATION: I under­stand that my test score will be reported to me and to the CTC. My test score will also be released to the California college, university, or district intern program I indicate during registration, and to any other institution, entity, or person authorized or required by law to receive this information. I understand that any information provided as part of registration may be used to report scores or to contact me regarding test- or program-related issues. Once I submit my videotapes and related documentation, I cannot cancel the scoring or score reporting.
9.	VOIDED SCORE: I understand that if I fail to comply with the rules and requirements set forth in the current bulletin, including these Rules of Participation in the RICA, or if doubts are raised about the validity or legitimacy of my registration, my submitted Video Performance Assessment Video Packets, or my test score, Evaluation Systems will notify the CTC and other parties as deemed appropriate by the CTC. The CTC and Evaluation Systems reserve the right to void my test score if, in their sole opinion, there is adequate reason to question the validity or legitimacy of the test score due to circumstances within or beyond my control. Other actions, as described in Rule 1, may be taken as deemed appropriate by the CTC and/or Evaluation Systems.
10.	RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS REGARDING THE VIDEO PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT: I understand and agree that liability for assessment activities, including but not limited to the adequacy or accuracy of assessment materials, the adequacy or accuracy of the registration and assessment processes or conditions, the adequacy or accuracy of scoring, the adequacy or accuracy of score reports, the adequacy or accuracy of information provided to me in connection with the RICA Program, and the adequacy of protection of examinee information will be limited to score correction or RICA Video Performance Assessment retake at no additional fee. I understand and agree that liability for lost or damaged Video Packets that I have submitted will be limited to an additional submission of Video Packets at no additional fee. I waive any and all rights to all other claims, specifically including but not limited to claims for negligence arising out of any acts or omissions of the CTC and Evaluation Systems (including the employees, agents, contractors, or professional advisors of the CTC and Evaluation Systems).
11.	PROGRAM CHANGES: I understand that the RICA Program is subject to change at the sole discretion of the CTC.
12.	OBJECTION TO RULES: If, for any reason, I object to any of these Rules of Participation in the RICA, I must advise Evaluation Systems, in writing, of the basis of my objection at least eight (8) weeks before I submit my Video Packets for my objection to be taken under consideration. If I nevertheless object, or if I continue to object, my registration may be canceled or my score may be voided.
13.	RULES: I understand that should any of these rules or any other procedure or policy contained in the current bulletin be declared or determined by any court to be illegal or invalid, the remaining rules, procedures, and policies will not be affected and the illegal or invalid rule, procedure, or policy shall not be deemed a part of the current bulletin. The headings of each of the Rules of Participation in the RICA are for convenient reference only. They are not a part of the rules themselves; they do not necessarily reflect the entire subject matter of each rule; and they are not intended to be used for the purpose of modifying, interpreting, or construing any of these Rules of Participation in the RICA. I agree that any legal action arising in connection with my registration for or participation in the RICA Video Performance Assessment shall be brought in the state and federal courts governing Sacramento, California, and I consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

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