Iowa Senate Bill SSB3068

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/24
• Refer: 1/17/24

Caption

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.

Impact

The impact of SSB3068 on state education laws primarily centers around the enhancement of assessment protocols for online learning platforms. By stipulating regulations for how assessments should be conducted, the bill seeks to ensure both the integrity of the assessments and the fair treatment of students learning in non-traditional settings. Furthermore, it mandates state education authorities to develop rules that facilitate the implementation of this bill, thereby affecting the broader landscape of educational compliance and standards across online and charter schools.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 3068 aims to modernize the methods in which statewide summative assessments are administered to students enrolled in online schools, including those operated by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools. The bill permits these educational institutions to conduct assessments in an online environment that mirrors the students' regular instructional format. Importantly, the provisions of the bill are designed to ensure a structured assessment process by requiring that assessments are supervised by proctors through video monitoring, maintaining a maximum student-to-proctor ratio of ten to one.

Contention

A point of contention surrounding SSB3068 may revolve around the balance it seeks between state oversight and the autonomy of online educational institutions. Advocates argue that rigorous assessment protocols are crucial for maintaining educational quality and accountability, while opponents may raise concerns about the practicality of such supervision in online environments, particularly regarding technology requirements and potential inequities in student access to resources. This dialogue is expected to influence ongoing discussions about educational reforms and standards, especially in rapidly evolving learning environments.