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SF4156 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Allow districts that provide digital instruction to administer state assessments remotely

Related bill: HF3906

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

  • The bill adds a new option for districts that provide digital instruction to administer state assessments remotely, in a way that aligns with students’ virtual learning.

Main Provisions

  • Adds a subdivision to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 120B.30 to authorize remote administration of state assessments for students enrolled full-time in districts offering digital instruction.
  • Remote testing must occur in a virtual setting that matches the student’s regular instruction and follow the district’s assigned test date and time within the statewide assessment window designated by the commissioner.

How remote testing would work (key requirements)

  • The assessment must be completed on an assigned date and time, within the same test administration window designated by the commissioner.
  • The student must participate in a synchronous assessment session that is initiated and managed by designated district staff.
  • The student must take the assessment using a device that the assessment proctor uses to monitor the student via video for the duration of the test.
  • The student must use one device to take the assessment and a second device to allow the proctor to monitor the administration, unless the assessment platform supports integrated camera proctoring and the district does not require a second device.
  • The district must maintain a taker-to-proctor ratio of ten students to one proctor or fewer.
  • The student may not exit the assessment until instructed to do so by the proctor, and the proctor must verify the assessment submission.

Exceptions and data requirements

  • This remote testing option does not apply to college readiness or workforce readiness assessments provided by a national college and career readiness assessment provider.
  • Assessment administration and data under this subdivision must be consistent with section 13.32 (privacy, data handling, and related requirements).

Significance and potential impact

  • Expands access to state assessments for students in districts offering digital instruction.
  • Establishes specific proctoring, monitoring, and timing requirements to preserve test integrity in a remote setting.
  • Maintains alignment with existing statutes and data privacy requirements while allowing remote administration within the designated test window.

Practical notes

  • The remote administration is contingent on districts operating under the framework of section 124D.094 subdivision 2 and the broader statutory framework for state assessments.

Relevant Terms

  • remote test administration
  • digital instruction
  • enrolling district
  • state assessment
  • synchronous assessment session
  • assessment proctor
  • camera proctoring / video monitoring
  • assessment platform
  • assessment taker to assessment proctor ratio (ten to one)
  • assigned date and assigned time
  • test administration window
  • college readiness
  • workforce readiness
  • national college and career readiness assessment provider
  • Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 120B.30
  • section 13.32
  • section 124D.094 subdivision 2

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 05, 2026SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
March 05, 2026SenateActionReferred toEducation Policy
March 23, 2026SenateActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Subd.12a.Remote test administration; protocols for virtual assessment administration including assigned date/time within the commissioner-designated test window, synchronous proctoring, device monitoring, and submission verification.",
        "Proctoring requirements including use of a second device if the assessment platform lacks integrated camera proctoring, and maintain a 10:1 student-to-proctor ratio or lower."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Adds remote test administration (Subd.12a) to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.30, allowing districts providing digital instruction to administer state assessments remotely in a virtual setting under specified conditions.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "120B.30",
    "subdivision": "12a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References Minnesota Statutes 124D.094, subdivision 2, in relation to digital instruction for purposes of remote assessment administration.",
      "modified": [
        "Cross-reference to 124D.094, subd. 2, to define digital instruction eligibility for remote testing."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "124D.094",
    "subdivision": "2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Requires consistency of remote assessment administration and related data under this subdivision with Minnesota Statutes section 13.32, subdivision 2.10.",
      "modified": [
        "Cross-reference to 13.32.2.10 to ensure alignment of data practices and assessment administration in remote settings."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13.32",
    "subdivision": "2.10"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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