A bill for an act relating to the administration of the statewide summative assessment of student progress to students of online schools by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(See HF 190.)
Summary
HSB33 would allow school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools that provide instruction primarily over the internet to administer required statewide summative assessments in an online setting that mirrors students’ regular online instruction. The bill applies to state assessments of student progress and sets specific conditions for remote testing, including school-assigned dates and times, synchronous proctor-led sessions, and verification of student submission.
To use this online testing option, the school must ensure live video monitoring of the student and the testing environment for the full assessment, either through the student’s own device/platform or a second device if needed. The bill also requires a maximum proctor-to-student ratio of 10 to 1 and prohibits students from leaving the assessment session until released by the proctor. The State Board of Education would be responsible for adopting rules to implement these requirements.
Impact
The bill would amend Iowa Code section 256.7 governing statewide assessments by creating an explicit exception for online schools to administer state tests remotely under prescribed proctoring and security conditions. It would affect school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools that deliver instruction primarily over the internet, while leaving the underlying statewide assessment requirement in place. The bill also directs the State Board of Education to adopt implementing rules, meaning the practical details of compliance would be shaped further through administrative rulemaking.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong support in committee, with the House Committee on Education reporting the bill 22-0. No committee transcript is provided, but the unanimous vote suggests broad agreement on the need to adapt assessment administration for online schools while preserving test integrity. The bill’s framing indicates a generally pragmatic approach rather than a controversial policy shift.
Contention
The main policy tension is between flexibility for online schools and maintaining the security and validity of statewide assessments. Supporters appear to favor allowing remote testing that matches students’ instructional setting, while the bill’s detailed proctoring, video-monitoring, and ratio requirements reflect concerns about cheating, supervision, and comparability of results. Any disagreement would likely center on whether the safeguards are sufficient or too burdensome for schools operating primarily online.
Replaced by
A bill for an act relating to the administration of the statewide summative assessment of student progress to students of online schools by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools. (Formerly HSB 33.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.
Replaced by
A bill for an act relating to the administration of the statewide summative assessment of student progress to students of online schools by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(Formerly SSB 1025.)
Related
A bill for an act relating to the administration of the statewide summative assessment of student progress to students of online schools by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(See SF 211.)