State education department seeks larger contracts for English-learner and TCAP services; committee approves amendments
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Summary
The Department of Education requested amendments to increase maximum liabilities for English-learner screening/summative contracts and for Pearson'administered TCAP services, including an omitted Lexile license; the committee approved both amendments.
Doctor David Laird, assistant commissioner for assessment, accountability and research, told the Fiscal Review Committee that the department is amending two contracts following competitive procurements: one with Cambium Assessment for English-learner (EL) screening and summative assessments, and one with NCS Pearson for administration of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP).
The department sought an additional $5,393,685.10 in maximum liability for the Cambium contract to account for increased demand following updated screener data and population trends. Laird described the screener as an initial step triggered when a student enrolls and indicates a language other than English is spoken at home; the centralized solution provides score reporting back to schools.
The department also requested $3,200,431.40 in additional maximum liability for the Pearson contract to expand scope for teacher participation in statewide assessment committees and to add a Lexile license that had been omitted from the original contract drafting. Laird said the Lexile license provides families a portable measure of reading level and had previously been included under a separate licensing agreement.
Representative John Bricken and other members asked whether prior arrangements placed screening burdens on local school districts; the department said districts previously printed, administered and scored screeners locally, and that this contract centralizes administration and reporting.
Both amendments were approved by voice vote.
Why it matters: The changes shift assessment screening and reporting responsibilities and increase state liability for testing services; the EL screener affects how districts identify students who may need language supports and how those needs are communicated to families.
What to watch: The department said it will monitor implementation and district feedback on centralized screener administration and the integration of assessment results with instructional supports.