Bill > HB1079

This bill addresses the challenges faced by students enrolled in online school programs when taking statewide assessments. Currently, these students are required to travel to designated testing sites, which can create significant burdens for families, including time off work, long-distance travel, and additional expenses. Recognizing these challenges, the bill allows school districts with online programs to offer remote testing options beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is tasked with developing comprehensive policies to ensure the integrity and security of remote testing, which must include guidelines for testing personnel, student-to-proctor ratios, remote testing environment requirements, device and network standards, and parental consent procedures. The bill defines key terms such as "device" (any electronic equipment used for test administration) and "statewide assessments" (general and alternate academic achievement tests in English language arts, mathematics, and science). The ultimate goal is to reduce barriers to assessment participation while maintaining fairness, equity, and security in the testing process, ultimately helping educators and the state better measure the academic progress of online students.