HB95 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Troy StubbsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Virtual education, administration of state assessments through closed browser remote testing

Summary

HB95 allows full-time virtual students to take state-required assessments remotely using closed-browser proctoring, with specific monitoring and scheduling rules starting in 2025.

What This Bill Does

It lets virtual schools administer state assessments in a virtual setting that matches the student’s regular instruction, but only under defined conditions (assigned date and time, a synchronous session managed by designated staff, and video monitoring for the full test). If the testing platform can’t provide integrated camera proctoring, students may need two devices (one for the test, one for the proctor’s camera view); otherwise a second device may not be required. The student-to-proctor ratio must be 10:1 or better, and the student must not exit the test area until the proctor says it’s okay; the proctor must verify the submission. Proctoring and administration must be done by a teacher with a valid Alabama professional education certificate. The act excludes public higher education and some college/career readiness assessments from these remote rules until remote access is available, and it becomes effective January 1, 2025 with implementation beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, depending on funds.

Who It Affects

• Full-time virtual students in Alabama, who would take state-required assessments remotely under the new closed-browser proctoring rules.
• Virtual schools/programs and their teachers/proctors, who must follow the specified testing procedures (dates/times, synchronous sessions, device setup, monitoring, proctor ratios, exit controls, and submission verification) and hold valid Alabama teaching certificates.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes virtual schools to administer state-required assessments remotely in a virtual setting starting with the 2025-2026 school year, subject to available funds.
• Requires assigned date and time, synchronous session managed by designated personnel, and video monitoring for the entire assessment.
• If the platform lacks integrated camera proctoring, the student may need two devices (one for testing, one for proctor viewing); if the platform can view the student and background, a second device is not required.
• Imposes a 10:1 or lower student-to-proctor ratio for assessment administration.
• Requires the student not to exit the assessment area until instructed by the proctor, and requires proctor submission verification of the assessment.
• Proctors must be teachers with a valid Alabama professional education certificate.
• Exempts public institutions of higher education and certain college readiness or workforce readiness assessments from these remote testing provisions until those assessments are available for remote access.
• Effective date of January 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education