Texas Senate Bill SB669

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 3/31/09
• Voted on by Senate: 4/8/09
• Out of House Committee: 5/18/09

Caption

Relating to the availability of online testing for high school equivalency examinations.

Impact

The bill proposes specific amendments to the Education Code regarding how high school equivalency examinations are administered. Under the new guidelines, the Texas Education Agency would be responsible for establishing rules that facilitate this online testing. A critical component of the bill includes ensuring a secure method for verifying the identity of test-takers, which addresses concerns over the integrity of the examinations. The impact of this shift could significantly alter existing practices within educational institutions and testing centers statewide.

Summary

SB669 aims to enhance access to high school equivalency examinations by mandating the introduction of online testing options. This bill allows individuals seeking to obtain their high school equivalency credential to take the necessary examinations from the comfort of their homes, thereby addressing potential barriers related to geographic location or physical mobility. The implementation of online testing is intended to streamline the assessment process and make it more accessible to a broader population, especially those who may struggle to attend in-person examinations due to various constraints.

Contention

While the intended effect of SB669 is to broaden access to educational opportunities, there are points of contention regarding online testing protocols. Critics may express concerns about the effectiveness of identity verification processes, particularly in preventing cheating during examinations. Additionally, there may be discussions about whether the technological infrastructure is adequate to support widespread online testing or if it will inadvertently disadvantage those without reliable internet access or technological proficiency. As these discussions unfold, stakeholders will need to weigh the benefits of accessibility against the challenges associated with online examination security.