HB 697

Present law authorizes the commissioner of education to determine the format in which TCAP tests are administered. A student whose IEP or section 504 plan under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 allows for testing accommodations must be allowed to use the sa me testing accommodations while taking a TCAP test , as long as the accommodation does not invalidate the assessment. This bill authorizes a virtual school, or virtual education program, to administer a TCAP test in a virtual setting that aligns with the student's regular academic instruction, if: (1) The TCAP test is administered to students in a virtual setting on a date, and at a time, determined by the virtual school, or by the public school providing the virtual education program, that occurs durin g the test administration window established by the commissioner of education for the TCAP test; (2) The TCAP test is administered to students in a virtual setting during a synchronous assessment session initiated and managed by the virtual school, or by the public school providing the virtual education program; (3) The TCAP test is administered to students in a virtual setting and monitored by a proctor through video means for the duration of the administration of the TCAP test . If the device on which a TCAP test is administered in a virtual setting does not allow for integrated camera proctoring, then a student who is administered a TCAP test in a virtual setting must use one device to take the test and one device for the student to be video monitore d by a proctor for the duration of the administration of the test. If a second device is needed, then the virtual school, or the public school providing the virtual education program, must provide the second device ; (4) The virtual school, or the public school providing the virtual education program, strives to maintain a student to proctor ratio of no less than one proctor for every 10 students for the TCAP test being administered in a virtual setting; (5) The virtual school, or the public school provi ding the virtual education program, does not allow a student who is administered the TCAP test in a virtual setting to exit the room in which the test is being administered until instructed to do so by the proctor; and (6) The submission of the TCAP test administered to students in a virtual setting must be verified by the assessment proctor. This bill requires the department of education to ensure that TCAP tests are available to be offered in a virtual setting. This bill authorizes the department to adopt standards for the administration of TCAP tests in virtual settings. This bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to TCAP tests administered to students in the 2026-2027 school year and each school year thereafter.