Committee moves forward with bill allowing remote statewide testing for online students

The House Education Committee opened and received public testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 5193 on March 17, a measure that would permit students enrolled in district-run online programs to complete statewide assessments remotely beginning in the 2027–28 school year.

Ethan Moreno, nonpartisan committee staff, said the bill mirrors legislation the committee previously considered and reported: districts must set policies for online programs; students must continue to take annual statewide assessments; and OSPI is directed to develop or update assessment administration and security policies to support remote testing. Moreno said required policy elements would include qualifications for testing personnel and parental consent forms, and OSPI is encouraged to consider pilot rulemaking as it revises agency rules.

Supporters and practical concerns: Carolyn Logan, representing K12 Stride, said providers and districts had worked on limiting remote proctoring to state assessments (not College Board exams) and had proposed an agreed amendment after College Board asked that the pilot not be used for ACT/SAT/PSAT testing. Felicia Kern, president of the Washington Digital Public Schools Alliance and a parent of an online-school student, described logistical burdens families face when testing sites are distant and said remote testing would reduce travel costs and anxiety for students with medical or disability-related needs. Sanah Chaudhary, a Lake Washington High School senior, said unfamiliar test sites exacerbated her anxiety during in-person testing and supported remote testing as a way to “test students on what they know and not how well they can manage discomfort and stress.”

Committee discussion and process: No prime sponsor was present in the room when the committee opened the public hearing. Staff noted the measure is identical to House Bill 1079 that had earlier moved through the legislature. Vice Chair Shavers read registration numbers into the record: for SB 5,193 the committee recorded a total of 660 testifiers and non-testifiers, with 193 pro, 465 con and 2 other. The committee completed the public hearing on SB 5,193 and then moved on to the next bill; no committee vote occurred during the March 17 session.

Administrative details: Staff said OSPI would be charged with updating assessment security policies and that districts would remain responsible for administering the tests while accommodating remote options. Supporters said technical language is being negotiated to limit remote proctoring to state assessments and to set personnel and consent standards.

Ending: The committee concluded the public hearing on SB 5,193 without taking a vote and proceeded to additional agenda items. No final action on the bill was recorded at the March 17 hearing.