HB 2080 will enable full-time online students to take statewide assessment tests in a virtual setting

Topeka, Kansas – The Kansas Chapter of the National Coalition for Public School Options (PSO-KS) today applauded the signing of Kansas House Bill 2080 into law by Governor Laura Kelly. This legislation provides students enrolled full-time in an online school with the flexibility to take the growth assessment tests online.

“This is a huge victory for Kansas students and families," said Letrisha Weber, Board President of PSO. “Virtual schools offer a flexible and personalized learning option that can meet the needs of a wide range of students. This bill will ensure that all students have the opportunity to test in a setting that works best for their learning needs."

The bill, sponsored by State Representative Adam Thomas (R-Olathe) and State Senator Molly Baumgardner (R-Louisburg) was signed into law by Gov. Kelly on Friday, April 7.

“We are grateful to Rep. Thomas, Sen. Baumgardner, and the members of the Kansas Legislature for their support of this important bill,” said Weber. “This is a commonsense measure that will allow students to take state assessments in a way that is convenient and comfortable for them. We are also grateful to Governor Kelly for signing this bill into law.”

The law will help address challenges faced by virtual students and teachers as they miss instructional time to travel to testing sites. Parents of virtual schools students also struggle with travel, childcare and missing work as a result of in-person testing requirements.

Remote testing also results in better testing outcomes or students. Research by the Education Freedom Institute also reveals that "tests taken remotely better correlate with other measures of academic performance than do tests taken at designated facilities, indicating they better capture academic progress."

The new Kansas Law comes on the heels of a similar bill signed into law by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin on March 27.