Committee OKs change to virtual‑school testing rules allowing remote proctoring without continuous adult presence

Senate Education Committee members approved a measure to update proctoring rules for virtual school assessments, allowing technology‑based monitoring in lieu of an adult physically present in the room for the full test.

State Senator Jim Dodson (Sen. Dist. 34) said the bill removes the current statutory requirement that an adult be physically present for the full duration of an assessment for ninth‑through‑12th‑grade virtual students. Dodson said security protocols such as multiple camera angles and technology monitoring would serve as the proctor in those situations.

Committee members asked for clarification about how the technology would function when a proctor is not physically in the room. Dodson replied that the technology would act as the proctor and that rules already require camera monitoring (one camera facing the student and one to show the surrounding area) or equivalent safeguards. The sponsor said districts or virtual program operators would still be required to meet security and monitoring protocols.

No public testimony was offered against the bill in the committee transcript. The committee voted by voice; the presiding member announced the bill had passed.

Ending: The bill will move forward; sponsors said the change aligns testing rules with current proctoring technology and applies to high‑school‑level virtual students.