Headphones for State Testing: Every State, Every Platform, Every Device
Every U.S. state requires or recommends headphones for online standardized testing. SchoolPHONES® wired headphones meet the audio requirements for every major state testing platform — SBAC, PARCC, STAAR, NWEA MAP, i-Ready, and all state-specific assessments. This page covers headphone requirements by state so you can prepare your school with confidence.
Why Every Testing Platform Recommends Wired Headphones
Online testing platforms universally recommend or require wired headphones for assessments. The reasons are practical: Bluetooth introduces latency, pairing failures, and interference in rooms with 30+ wireless devices. Wired connections deliver instant, reliable audio with zero configuration — critical when hundreds of students test simultaneously.
State-by-State Testing Headphone Guide
SBAC / Smarter Balanced Assessment States
States: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia
Test: Smarter Balanced (SBAC) English Language Arts and Mathematics assessments
Audio needed: ELA listening tasks, text-to-speech accommodations
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones strongly recommended; Bluetooth discouraged due to connectivity concerns in testing environments
Grades tested: 3-8 and 11
SchoolPHONES® recommendation: BK series for grades 5+, K6 series for grade 3-4
STAAR Testing — Texas
Test: State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)
Audio needed: Online ELA sections, text-to-speech accommodations, bilingual assessments
Headphone requirement: TEA (Texas Education Agency) requires headphones for online STAAR; wired recommended, tested on student devices in advance
Grades tested: 3-8, End-of-Course (high school)
Device platforms: Chromebook, iPad, Windows via STAAR Online Testing Platform
PARCC / Successor Assessments
States: Illinois (IAR), New Jersey (NJSLA), Massachusetts (MCAS), Maryland, New Mexico, District of Columbia, Colorado (CMAS)
Audio needed: ELA listening comprehension, text-to-speech for accommodations
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones required for audio sections
SchoolPHONES® recommendation: Same models used for SBAC; 3.5mm connection works with all testing devices
NWEA MAP Growth (Nationwide)
Used in: All 50 states (district-chosen adaptive assessment)
Audio needed: Required for K-2 testing, accommodated sessions, and reading fluency
Headphone requirement: NWEA recommends wired headphones; advises against Bluetooth due to latency and connectivity issues
Frequency: Fall, Winter, Spring testing windows
i-Ready Diagnostic (Nationwide)
Used in: All 50 states (district-chosen diagnostic)
Audio needed: Reading and math diagnostics, especially K-2
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones recommended for consistent audio delivery
Florida — FSA / FAST
Test: Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST), replacing FSA
Audio needed: ELA components, accommodations
Grades: 3-10
Device platforms: Chromebook, iPad, Windows
Virginia — SOL
Test: Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments
Audio needed: Reading, science audio components
Grades: 3-8, End-of-Course
Headphone requirement: Required for online administration
New York — NYSTP
Test: New York State Testing Program (ELA and Math CBT)
Audio needed: Text-to-speech, accommodations
Grades: 3-8
Note: NY is transitioning to computer-based testing; headphone demand increasing annually
Pennsylvania — PSSA / Keystone
Tests: PSSA (grades 3-8), Keystone Exams (End-of-Course)
Audio needed: Text-to-speech accommodations, ELA audio
Headphone requirement: Required for students with audio accommodations; recommended for all online test-takers
Georgia — Georgia Milestones
Test: Georgia Milestones Assessment System
Audio needed: ELA, accommodations
Grades: 3-8, End-of-Course
Device platforms: Primarily Chromebook
Ohio — OST
Test: Ohio State Tests
Audio needed: ELA, science audio components
Grades: 3-8, End-of-Course
Platform: AIR Online Testing via Chromebook, Windows, iPad
North Carolina — EOG / EOC
Tests: End-of-Grade (3-8), End-of-Course (high school)
Audio needed: Accommodations, read-aloud functionality
Headphone requirement: Required for audio-based testing accommodations
Louisiana — LEAP 2025
Test: LEAP 2025 (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies)
Audio needed: ELA listening tasks, accommodations
Grades: 3-8, End-of-Course
Alabama — ACAP
Test: Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP)
Audio needed: ELA listening, text-to-speech accommodations
Grades: 2-8, plus high school biology
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones required for online ACAP sessions with audio components
Alaska — AK STAR
Test: Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR)
Audio needed: ELA listening comprehension, accommodations
Grades: 3-9
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones recommended for all computer-based testing; Bluetooth not supported in secure browser
Arizona — AASA
Test: Arizona Academic Standards Assessment (AASA, formerly AzMERIT)
Audio needed: ELA, text-to-speech accommodations
Grades: 3-8, plus AzSCI for science
Headphone requirement: Required for audio-enabled test items and accommodated sessions
Arkansas — ACT Aspire
Test: ACT Aspire (transitioning to ATLAS)
Audio needed: ELA listening tasks
Grades: 3-10
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones recommended for all online testing; individual headphones required (no shared audio)
Indiana — ILEARN
Test: Indiana Learning Evaluation Assessment Readiness Network (ILEARN)
Audio needed: ELA listening, text-to-speech, accommodations
Grades: 3-8
Device platforms: Chromebook, Windows, iPad via Cambium secure browser
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones required for all students during ELA testing
Iowa — ISASP
Test: Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP)
Audio needed: ELA listening, accommodations
Grades: 3-11
Headphone requirement: Each student must have individual wired headphones for audio portions
Kansas — KAP
Test: Kansas Assessment Program (KAP)
Audio needed: ELA, text-to-speech accommodations
Grades: 3-8, 10
Headphone requirement: Working wired headphones required for each testing station
Kentucky — KSA
Test: Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA)
Audio needed: ELA, text-to-speech, read-aloud accommodations
Grades: 3-8, 10-11
Device platforms: Chromebook, Windows
Headphone requirement: Individual wired headphones required for audio components
Maine — MEA
Test: Maine Educational Assessment (MEA), powered by NWEA MAP
Audio needed: ELA, reading fluency, accommodations
Grades: 3-8
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones required; follows NWEA MAP technical recommendations for audio delivery
Michigan — M-STEP
Test: Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP)
Audio needed: ELA listening, text-to-speech, accommodations
Grades: 3-8, 11
Device platforms: Chromebook, Windows, iPad
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones required for all computer-based testing with audio elements
Minnesota — MCA
Test: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)
Audio needed: ELA, accommodations, text-to-speech
Grades: 3-8, 10-11
Headphone requirement: Individual wired headphones for each student during computer-based assessment
Mississippi — MAAP
Test: Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP)
Audio needed: ELA listening, accommodations
Grades: 3-8, End-of-Course
Headphone requirement: Working wired headphones required at each testing station
Missouri — MAP
Test: Missouri Assessment Program (MAP, not to be confused with NWEA MAP)
Audio needed: ELA, text-to-speech accommodations
Grades: 3-8, End-of-Course
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones required for online MAP testing
Nebraska — NSCAS
Test: Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS)
Audio needed: ELA, audio accommodations
Grades: 3-8
Headphone requirement: Individual wired headphones required for students receiving audio accommodations and ELA listening tasks
New Hampshire — NH SAS
Test: New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System (NH SAS)
Audio needed: ELA listening tasks, text-to-speech accommodations
Grades: 3-8, 11
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones required for all students during ELA sections with audio content
North Dakota — NDSA
Test: North Dakota State Assessment (NDSA)
Audio needed: ELA listening, accommodations
Grades: 3-8, 10
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones required for audio-enabled test items; Bluetooth not permitted
Oklahoma — OSTP
Test: Oklahoma School Testing Program (OSTP)
Audio needed: ELA, accommodations, text-to-speech
Grades: 3-8, End-of-Instruction
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones required for all computer-based testing sessions
Rhode Island — RICAS
Test: Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS)
Audio needed: ELA listening, text-to-speech accommodations
Grades: 3-8
Headphone requirement: Individual wired headphones required for all online testing sessions
South Carolina — SC READY
Test: South Carolina College-and Career-Ready Assessments (SC READY)
Audio needed: ELA, accommodations
Grades: 3-8
Device platforms: Chromebook, Windows
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones required for audio portions and accommodation sessions
Tennessee — TCAP
Test: Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP, formerly TNReady)
Audio needed: ELA listening, text-to-speech, accommodations
Grades: 3-8, End-of-Course
Headphone requirement: Individual wired headphones for every student required during online TCAP
Utah — RISE
Test: Readiness Improvement Success Empowerment (RISE)
Audio needed: ELA listening, accommodations, text-to-speech
Grades: 3-8
Headphone requirement: Each student needs working wired headphones for the ELA assessment
Wisconsin — Forward Exam
Test: Wisconsin Forward Exam
Audio needed: ELA listening, text-to-speech accommodations
Grades: 3-8
Device platforms: Chromebook, Windows, iPad
Headphone requirement: Wired headphones required at each testing station for ELA and accommodated sessions
Wyoming — WY-TOPP
Test: Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress (WY-TOPP)
Audio needed: ELA listening, text-to-speech accommodations
Grades: 3-8, 10
Headphone requirement: Individual wired headphones required for all students during online assessment
Complete 50-State Testing Headphone Reference
Every U.S. state requires or recommends wired headphones for state testing. SchoolPHONES headphones meet the technical requirements for every assessment listed below. This table covers all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
| State | Assessment | Grades | Audio Components |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ACAP | 2-8, HS | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Alaska | AK STAR | 3-9 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Arizona | AASA | 3-8 | ELA, Accommodations |
| Arkansas | ACT Aspire / ATLAS | 3-10 | ELA Listening |
| California | SBAC (Smarter Balanced) | 3-8, 11 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Colorado | CMAS | 3-8, HS | ELA, Accommodations |
| Connecticut | SBAC (Smarter Balanced) | 3-8, 11 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Delaware | SBAC (DeSSA) | 3-8 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| District of Columbia | DC CAPE (PARCC-based) | 3-8, HS | ELA, Accommodations |
| Florida | FAST | 3-10 | ELA, Accommodations |
| Georgia | Georgia Milestones | 3-8, EOC | ELA, Accommodations |
| Hawaii | SBAC (Smarter Balanced) | 3-8, 11 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Idaho | SBAC (ISAT) | 3-8, HS | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Illinois | IAR | 3-8 | ELA, Accommodations |
| Indiana | ILEARN | 3-8 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Iowa | ISASP | 3-11 | ELA, Accommodations |
| Kansas | KAP | 3-8, 10 | ELA, TTS |
| Kentucky | KSA | 3-8, 10-11 | ELA, Accommodations |
| Louisiana | LEAP 2025 | 3-8, EOC | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Maine | MEA (NWEA-based) | 3-8 | ELA, Reading Fluency |
| Maryland | MCAP | 3-8, HS | ELA, Accommodations |
| Massachusetts | MCAS | 3-8, 10 | ELA, Accommodations |
| Michigan | M-STEP | 3-8, 11 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Minnesota | MCA | 3-8, 10-11 | ELA, Accommodations |
| Mississippi | MAAP | 3-8, EOC | ELA Listening |
| Missouri | MAP | 3-8, EOC | ELA, TTS |
| Montana | SBAC (MontCAS) | 3-8, HS | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Nebraska | NSCAS | 3-8 | ELA, Accommodations |
| Nevada | SBAC (Smarter Balanced) | 3-8, 11 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| New Hampshire | NH SAS | 3-8, 11 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| New Jersey | NJSLA | 3-9 | ELA, Accommodations |
| New Mexico | NM-ASR | 3-8, HS | ELA, TTS |
| New York | NYSTP (CBT) | 3-8 | TTS, Accommodations |
| North Carolina | EOG / EOC | 3-8, EOC | Accommodations |
| North Dakota | NDSA | 3-8, 10 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Ohio | OST | 3-8, EOC | ELA, Accommodations |
| Oklahoma | OSTP | 3-8, EOI | ELA, TTS |
| Oregon | OSAS (SBAC-based) | 3-8, 11 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Pennsylvania | PSSA / Keystone | 3-8, EOC | TTS, Accommodations |
| Rhode Island | RICAS | 3-8 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| South Carolina | SC READY | 3-8 | ELA, Accommodations |
| South Dakota | SBAC (Smarter Balanced) | 3-8, 11 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Tennessee | TCAP | 3-8, EOC | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Texas | STAAR | 3-8, EOC | ELA, Bilingual, TTS |
| Utah | RISE | 3-8 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Vermont | SBAC (Smarter Balanced) | 3-8, 9 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Virginia | SOL | 3-8, EOC | Reading, Science Audio |
| Washington | SBA (SBAC-based) | 3-8, HS | ELA Listening, TTS |
| West Virginia | SBAC (SAT) | 3-8, 11 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Wisconsin | Forward Exam | 3-8 | ELA Listening, TTS |
| Wyoming | WY-TOPP | 3-8, 10 | ELA Listening, TTS |
TTS = Text-to-Speech available as an accommodation in every state. Students receiving TTS accommodations always require individual wired headphones. EOC = End-of-Course exams typically administered in high school. EOI = End-of-Instruction exams (Oklahoma). All assessments are computer-based and administered through secure browsers that support wired audio connections.
Pre-Testing Headphone Preparation Checklist
- ☐ Test every headphone on student devices 1+ week before assessment window
- ☐ Replace any headphones with crackling, intermittent, or single-channel audio
- ☐ Verify 3.5mm plugs are fully seated (device cases can block full insertion)
- ☐ Stock 10-15% spare headphones for test-day replacements
- ☐ Label headphones by classroom for efficient distribution and collection
- ☐ Brief proctors on troubleshooting: check volume → reseat plug → swap headphone
- ☐ Confirm secure testing browser recognizes audio output from wired headphones
- ☐ For IEP/504 students: verify accommodations audio (text-to-speech, audio descriptions) works with assigned headphones
SchoolPHONES® for Testing Season
SchoolPHONES® headphones are used by thousands of schools nationwide for standardized testing. Our wired, over-ear design meets the requirements of every state testing platform listed above. Every order gets the same manufacturer-direct price — whether you need 30 pairs for one classroom or 3,000 for your district. No minimums, no tiered pricing, no quotes needed.
Don’t wait until testing week to discover faulty headphones. Order now and be prepared.