State Education Agency Assessment Signals

Two high-stakes assessment RFPs/RFIs issued this month: - Rhode Island RIDE soliciting technical support and consultation for comprehensive assessment systems and school accountability models — including validity studies for state assessments, Student Growth Percentile calculation support, and Technical Advisory Committee coordination. Initial three-year contract beginning July 2026, with two optional one-year renewals (responses due May 3). - Oklahoma SDE issued an RFI to identify written expression screener assessments aligned to Oklahoma Academic Standards, intended to develop an approved-screener list for State Board consideration (responses due April 30). Active decision windows: Arizona's State Board strategic plan formally identifies the statewide assessment procurement as a priority issue, confirming Scope of Work development through winter 2025/spring 2026 and adopted assessments beginning with the 2027–28 school year — alongside continued A–F accountability rollout for 2026–27. Maryland's State Board granted permission to publish regulations on alternate assessment eligibility for students with the most severe cognitive disabilities and moved to adopt Dynamic Learning Maps as the connected alternate standards. Maryland's Education Policy Committee also approved an updated scoring plan for the EdTPA portfolio-based licensure assessment (80% Maryland pass rate); with Pearson retiring and redeveloping the existing assessment, MSDE will extend acceptance of scorable portfolios through September 2028 before bringing a new passing standard back to the Board. Assessment system shifts: Kansas formally authorized its KSDE Innovative Assessment Pilot through legislative action — appropriating $942,410 for SY 2026–27 implementation across six named districts (Dodge City USD 443, Geary County USD 475, Great Bend USD 428, Olathe USD 233, Humboldt USD 258, Kansas City USD 500), with quarterly results reporting required and a separate directive to publish 2026 state assessment results using cut scores in effect prior to July 1, 2025. Missouri's HCS HB 2002 was perfected with a one-time $2,000,000 appropriation for the "Missouri Assessment Program Success Ready Student Assessment System." Nebraska adopted reading-deficiency policy requirements directing the State Department of Education to develop a model policy by July 1, 2027 (covering identification, dyslexia screening, intervention, and data reporting) — districts must adopt aligned policies by August 1, 2028 as an accreditation requirement, with SDE-approved HQIM lists beginning SY 2027–28. Virginia advanced replacement educator licensure assessments, including a new geometry exam (50 items / 130 minutes, 51% national pass rate at cut score 148) and a regenerated elementary education fundamentals test with five subtests, with the current test phasing out by July 2027. Nevada's licensure commission proposed lowering passing scores by one standard deviation paired with ETS practice-bridge competency modules (73.9% completion rate among candidates who chose the bridge). Utah continued K–3 math screening discussion using Acadience (selected via 2021 RFP) administered three times per year, distinguishing benchmark screening from RISE end-of-year accountability.

Three high-stakes RFPs issued this month: - Illinois ISBE seeking a vendor to manage a Technical Advisory Committee supporting accountability and assessment systems ($500K–$1.5M range; contract July 2026–June 2031, with at least 400 research hours annually and equity-focused statistical analysis). - Texas Education Agency soliciting norm-referenced college preparation and career readiness assessments for statewide use (10-year contract, anticipated September 2026 start). - Arizona opened its statewide ELA, math, and science assessment RFP (scope of work developed winter 2025/26; adopted assessments targeted for administration beginning 2027–28 school year). Active decision windows: Maryland's Board of Public Works approved a $95.3 million contract with NCS Pearson for a redesigned Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP), replacing the current vendor and consolidating multiple assessments into a single integrated adaptive platform beginning 2026–27. Kansas advanced its Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA) application (8–1–1 board vote), authorizing KSDE to pursue a federal pilot allowing through-year benchmark assessments — administered by IAS across six current pilot districts — to substitute for the statewide summative for accountability purposes; application due May 1. Assessment system shifts: Arizona's A–F accountability frameworks were formally adopted, embedding participation-rate incentives for ACT Aspire (9th grade), AzSCI, and AZELLA, while K–3 move-on-reading implementation data showed approximately 75% of schools not yet using a vetted literacy curriculum. Missouri's executive order A–F grading framework — which penalizes schools testing below 95% participation by one letter grade — directed DESE to submit a full implementation plan and rule changes by June 30, 2026. Montana approved a statewide early numeracy screening tool list (including aimswebPlus, FastBridge, i-Ready, MAP Growth, Renaissance STAR, Acadience Math, and others) and launched MAST Science pilot recruitment targeting grades 6–8, April 13–May 8.

Three high-stakes RFPs issued this month: - New Hampshire seeking vendor for State and Federal Assessment and Accountability Systems implementation support (due Feb 19). - Utah ACT-aligned online college readiness platform ($500K–$2M range; closing Feb 24). - Arizona AZELLA statewide English language proficiency testing services (test development, administration, scoring, reporting; next decision window into March). Active decision windows: Maryland advanced COMAR changes to require universal K–3 screening three times per year, tied to an MSDE-approved screener list expected in February 2026 and a 2026–27 implementation runway. Louisiana issued explicit operational guidance on K–3 numeracy screening across all three windows (district-selected tools; data-handling implications). Assessment system shifts: Massachusetts continued work toward a statewide graduation framework, explicitly flagging how End-of-Course (EOC) assessments factor into competency determination policy updates. Montana advanced charter accountability/assessment policy work, including a decision matrix and example measures (MAP Growth, i-Ready/Inform, MAST, ACT/preACT), signaling near-term requirements for “rigorous, valid, reliable” indicators and reporting processes.

Three high-stakes RFPs issued this month: - Minnesota Teacher Licensure Testing contract (responses due Feb 5) - test development, administration, scoring services - Kentucky Migrant Evaluation Service Delivery Plan and Comprehensive Needs Assessment ($50K-$200K range, early February deadline) - Utah ACT-aligned online college readiness platform ($500K-$2M range, closing Feb 24) Active decision windows: Montana MAST Window 2 open (Jan 12-Mar 6) with Science pilot launching Spring 2026 (grades 6-8, Apr 13-May 8, recruitment underway). Kansas Board approved initiating RFP for Kansas Integrated Accountability System maintenance/enhancements (through June 2030, up to $1M from ESEA/IDEA funds). Maryland implementing statewide adolescent literacy screeners with pilot in SY 2026-27 and full rollout SY 2027-28. Assessment system shifts: Louisiana changing high school EOC structure effective 2027-28 (one English and one math exam at end of year two, reducing testing time). Nevada advancing district performance framework with Center for Assessment (preliminary ratings August 2026). Maryland piloting Kindergarten Readiness Assessment with Star Early Literacy and Star Math (fall window complete, winter/spring monitoring optional). California piloting Smarter Balanced math performance tasks for spring 2027 embedded field testing.

Three high-stakes RFPs issued this month: - California seeking comprehensive assessment contractor for CAASPP (affects 6M+ students) - major incumbent replacement opportunity with full system scope (implementation, development, administration, scoring, reporting, technology) - Kansas reading/math assessment RFP (5-year contract starting July 2026, through June 2031) - long-term commitment with annual licensing structure - Mississippi kindergarten readiness assessment - new statewide requirement Active decision windows: Alaska finalizing Alternate ACCESS exit criteria (30-day comment period opens Dec 3). Iowa implementing revised assessment for Spring 2026 aligned to updated standards with clearer proficiency definitions. Montana Board advancing assessment consultant work (Solomon Research Group) with recommendations due late February 2026. Assessment system shifts: Montana's MAST through-year system went live (Window 1 opened Oct 13 with 29,000+ testlets in week one, weekly reporting active). Nevada approved i-Ready as statewide Read by Grade 3 assessment for 2025-26. North Carolina released final 2024-25 state assessment results with new science baseline.