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PEF appeals shortened shelf life for PTB scores
By SHERRY HALBROOK
PEF is formally appealing changes to the Promotion Test Battery (PTB) policy
announced by the state Department of Civil Service (DCS) December 30, 2005.
DCS announced it would give the PTB tests every two years, instead of annually,
and retroactively slashed the shelf life of the test scores by 60 percent — two
changes that could seriously narrow the opportunity for PEF members to qualify
for state job promotions.
After meeting with PEF in January, DCS agreed to continue giving both levels of
the PTB in 2007, as well as 2006. However, after that, only one level will be
offered every year on an alternating basis — the supervisors/specialist exam in
2008, and the test for mid-level and high-level managers and administrators in
2009.
However, PEF was not able to persuade DCS to modify its decision to cut the
shelf life of test scores from 10 years to four years, effective January 1,
2006. So, the union is appealing that policy change to the state Civil Service
Commission. If PEF is not satisfied with that decision, it could take the appeal
to state Supreme Court.
PEF is arguing it’s unfair to retroactively change civil service policy, since
candidates who took the PTB from 1997 to 2005 reasonably had the expectation
their test scores would be good for the entire 10 years. In fact, the PTB test
announcements issued by DCS stated, “...we will retain test scores for ten
years.”
DCS says it wants the scores to be more current, and it would be unfair to treat
some test takers differently than others by allowing those who took the test
previously to use their scores longer than those who take it in the future.
Meanwhile, if you last took a PTB test in 2002 or earlier your score will only
be useable until December 31, 2006, so you’ll need to take the test again this
year.
However, if you are already on a civil service list of eligible candidates that
has used your PTB score from 1996 or later, your score on that specific eligible
list remains good until the list expires.
During calendar year 2006, promotion exams with an announced “applications must
be postmarked by” date of December 31, 2006, or earlier will draw PTB scores
from 1996 and after. Examinations with an announced postmarked-by date of
January 1, 2007, or later will draw PTB scores from 2004 and after.
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