For better or for worse, what you say and do on social media represents who you are, both professionally and personally. The National Test Prep Association was formed to support test prep professionals, uphold the highest ethical standards, and promote best practices in the test prep industry. As an NTPA member, your actions on social media represent our organization and industry as well. For this reason, we have outlined a smart social media policy for our smart membership as extension of our Code of Ethics.
As a test prep professional, your nature is to study carefully and excel under pressure. Please study these guidelines and practice diligently any time your insight, eloquence, or ethics are tested in a social media platform, including but not limited to the following:
Networking sites (i.e. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram)
Video and photo sharing sites (i.e. YouTube)
Traditional media sites (i.e. Washington Post)
Messaging platforms (i.e. Messenger, WhatsApp)
Blogs, wikis, online forums and message boards (i.e. Quora, Reddit)
Podcasts (i.e. Tests and the Rest)
BUBBLE CAREFULLY
Tone and humor are difficult to convey in print. Always be clear in getting your message across and careful to avoid misinterpreting others. Use excellent judgment and err on the side of caution.
BE PROUD OF YOUR PREP AND RESULTS
We’ve all joined NTPA because we feel great passion for education and test prep. We collectively care about valid, fair, and reliable assessments. We care about clear and objective standards. We care about equity in education and opportunity. The successes of our students, staff, colleagues, and educational enterprises mean the world to us. The best social media messages are informed by positivity about the things we care about.
YOU SHOULDN’T BE DEFINED BY ONE TEST…
…but you can be defined forever by one errant or ill-advised post, tweet, or comment online. The internet never forgets. Remember that what you share online is permanent, so be smart about your words and actions. If what you’re thinking of writing gives you concern, take a moment to reach out to another NTPA member for guidance.
NTPA members should always remember that they represent the highest aspirations for our industry and test prep professionals. Assiduously avoid public conflicts with other NTPA members and test prep professionals. Do not disparage and/or disrespect other test prep providers. Use the reasonable person standard when replying to people online, i.e., if a reasonable person would be offended by your words, choose different words to make your point.
Never post discriminatory, offensive, bullying, or libelous content and commentary. Correct or remove any misleading or false content as quickly as possible.
TESTING INTEGRITY IS CRITICAL
Do not misrepresent yourself or our organization, especially in conversations about education, testing, and admissions. If appropriate, disclose your status as a test prep professional and/or membership in NTPA. In addition, truthfulness, kindness, and integrity do wonders for your reputation and, in turn, that of our industry.
For the sake of transparency, always be clear about the distinction between the NTPA’s positions on issues and your own. Whether through social media or other forms of public speaking, you may not represent that you are speaking on behalf of NTPA unless you are authorized to do so.
EYES ON YOUR OWN PAPER
Our colleagues in and outside the NTPA generate all kinds of innovative and insightful ideas, items, articles, and data presentations. If you feel moved to share or quote a test prep professional in social media, always give credit by name. Include a link to the core document or a social media profile whenever possible. In all cases, respect copyright and fair use laws and protect the intellectual property rights of our members and partners.
Never share NTPA’s confidential or proprietary information, including but not limited to finances, members, partners, existing resources, and upcoming projects.
Never share anything discussed in an NTPA Mastermind group outside the group. Keep your Mastermind conversations confidential.
IRREGULARITIES IN TESTING
Social media behavior should never violate the NTPA Code of Ethics or damage the organization or its members.