SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1079
As Passed Senate - Amended, April 7, 2025
Title: An act relating to supporting remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs.
Brief Description: Supporting remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs.
Sponsors: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Ortiz-Self, Rude, McEntire, Reed, Shavers, Callan, Simmons, Rule, Nance, Berg and Reeves).
Brief History: Passed House: 3/5/25, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/27/25 [DP].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate - Amended: 4/7/25, 49-0.
Brief Summary of Bill
(As Amended by Senate)
  • Allows school districts with online programs to provide students within those programs the ability to complete statewide assessments remotely beginning in the 2027-28 school year.
  • Directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop or review and update assessment administration and security policies to support remote testing options by April 1, 2027. 
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Nobles, Vice Chair, K-12; Wilson, C., Vice Chair, Early Learning; Harris, Ranking Member; Cortes, Dozier, Hansen, Krishnadasan and McCune.
Staff: Elena Becker (786-7493)
Background:

Statewide Assessments. State and federal law requires that Washington students regularly take statewide tests to assess their learning growth and the progress of the educational system. This includes English language arts and math tests administered in the 3rd through 8th and 10th grades, and science exams administered in the 5th, 8th, and 11th grades.

 

Online Learning. State law requires that each school district has its own online learning policy and practice, which dictates if and how it provides online learning opportunities. According to guidance from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), when students enroll in online courses, the district serving the student remains responsible for administering the student's state assessments. 
Summary of Amended Bill:

School districts with online programs may provide all students within those programs the ability to complete statewide assessments remotely beginning in the 2027-28 school year.

 

OSPI must develop, review, or update, as appropriate, assessment administration and security policies to support remote testing options by April 1, 2027. At a minimum, these policies must address:

  • required qualifications for testing personnel; 
  • maximum ratio of students to proctors; 
  • requirements for remote testing environments, including monitoring procedures and restrictions on access to devices and persons;
  • device and network requirements; and
  • parental consent and agreement forms.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

No public hearing was held.
Persons Testifying:

N/A
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying:

N/A