{"id":125788,"date":"2026-03-17T11:29:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T14:29:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tech.einnews.com\/article\/900013824"},"modified":"2026-03-17T11:29:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T14:29:51","slug":"how-districts-are-experimenting-with-outcomes-based-contracts-in-ed-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/03\/17\/how-districts-are-experimenting-with-outcomes-based-contracts-in-ed-tech\/","title":{"rendered":"How districts are experimenting with outcomes-based contracts in ed tech"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"text-to-speech\"> <button class=\"text-to-speech__button button\"> <img data-opt-id=758893364  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.k12dive.com\/static\/img\/play.svg?313321260226&ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.k12dive.com\/static\/img\/play.svg?313321260226&ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.k12dive.com\/static\/img\/play.svg?313321260226&ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.k12dive.com\/static\/img\/play.svg?313321260226&ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.k12dive.com\/static\/img\/play.svg?313321260226&ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.k12dive.com\/static\/img\/play.svg?313321260226&ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.k12dive.com\/static\/img\/play.svg?313321260226&ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.k12dive.com\/static\/img\/play.svg?313321260226&ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.k12dive.com\/static\/img\/play.svg?313321260226&ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.k12dive.com\/static\/img\/play.svg?313321260226&ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.k12dive.com\/static\/img\/play.svg?313321260226&ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" class=\"text-to-speech__button__icon\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.k12dive.com\/static\/img\/play.svg?313321260226&ssl=1\" alt> Listen to the article <span class=\"text-to-speech__button__audio-length\">4 min<\/span> <\/button> <\/p>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech__controls\"> <audio controls class=\"js-text-to-speech\" preload=\"none\">  <\/audio> <\/p>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech__controls__text\"> This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.k12dive.com\/contact\/\">feedback<\/a>. <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>After years of fully embracing ed tech in schools \u2014 especially with 1:1 device programs during the COVID-19 pandemic \u2014 districts now must decide if it\u2019s worth it to continue implementing a large array of technology, especially amid growing budget constraints and pushback against screentime in classrooms.&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>One innovative approach to help districts evaluate the return on investment from their ed tech tool purchases is the use of <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalpromise.dspacedirect.org\/items\/5ab830f6-3f5d-4286-880b-bbf6b9105a19\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>outcomes-based contracting<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, in which district payments made to ed tech companies are in part contingent on meeting student achievement goals. In a report released Monday by the nonprofit Digital Promise and the Center for Outcomes Based Contracting, researchers analyzed how this new contracting strategy impacted a group of districts that experimented with it in recent years.&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The study found that outcomes-based contracting empowered districts to take the lead on ed tech contract terms, boosted implementation rates of ed tech, and pushed districts and ed tech providers to consider the most effective ways to use ed tech to improve student learning outcomes.&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>California\u2019s Fresno Unified School District is one such district experimenting with outcomes-based contracts. During the 2024-25 school year, Fresno USD entered into an agreement with Curriculum Associates for the district\u2019s use of the company\u2019s i-Ready tool, said Ann Loorz, the district\u2019s executive director of procurement.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>A multi-department district committee, which includes experts in data research and curriculum, meets weekly with the ed tech vendor to discuss what\u2019s working and what isn\u2019t with the tool\u2019s use in Fresno USD\u2019s classrooms. Loorz said that the district has been able to adjust according to the research regularly provided by Curriculum Associates.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u201cInstead of just waiting until the very end, when it\u2019s like \u2018Oh, that\u2019s all we got and we owe you how much money?\u2019 It\u2019s like a partnership from the very beginning,\u201d Loorz said.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Because of the conditions of the Curriculum Associates contract, Fresno USD did not pay for 100% of the negotiated services since some of the district\u2019s expected student outcomes were not entirely met, Loorz said.&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The study by Digital Promise and the Center for Outcomes Based Contracting said that this innovative model \u201creimagines procurement.\u201d Instead of the traditional contracting approach of a one-way seller-client relationship, outcomes-based contracts develop a \u201ctwo-way partnership based on mutual accountability,\u201d the report said.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"standard-heading\"><span><span><span><span><span><span>Traditional versus outcomes-based contracts<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Traditional ed tech procurement often lacks clarity on the tool\u2019s purpose, the study said, adding that it can ultimately result in low rates of commitment and implementation at the school level. Outcomes-based contracting, meanwhile, gives teachers and students the ability to have a greater understanding of an ed tech tool\u2019s purpose and the best ways to use them, the report added.&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The analyzed districts that implemented the newer contract approach \u201cdemonstrated substantial evidence that the OBC model can address many of the core pain points that have resulted in billions of dollars invested with little to no return for learner outcomes,\u201d the study said.&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Some districts have even carried their learnings from their first outcomes-based contract to other kinds of contracts \u201cto ensure resources are being strategically allocated so learners are positively impacted by interventions.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The approach also takes a lot of legwork to roll out, and it would currently be very difficult to make every district contract follow the outcomes-based model, Loorz said. For instance, she said that outcomes-based contracts often require regular check-ins and accurate data collection from the provider. When these types of contracts are possible, however, it\u2019s worth implementing, she added.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>For districts looking to implement outcomes-based contracts, the study recommends that districts clearly communicate about the approach throughout their school systems, including at the teacher level, in order to gain buy-in and drive accountability. If teachers don\u2019t understand what ed tech tools under the contract are intended to specifically support, then implementation will vary across the district, the study said.&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<section class=\"storylines-carousel-wrapper hide-small show-large\" id=\"desktop-carousel\"><\/section>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Loorz\u2019s key advice for districts considering outcomes-based contracting with ed tech providers is to bring together members from different departments to make the contract development well-rounded. She also emphasized that it\u2019s important to ensure that data is accurate and useful when monitoring student outcomes outlined in the contract.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\"> <\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\/acceptable.html\"> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8230; implementing a large array of <span class=\"match\">technology<\/span>, especially amid growing budget &#8230; take the lead on ed <span class=\"match\">tech<\/span> contract terms, boosted &#8230; pushed districts and ed <span class=\"match\">tech<\/span> providers to consider the most &#8230; based contracts Traditional ed <span class=\"match\">tech<\/span> procurement often lacks clarity &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-125788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=125788"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125788\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=125788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=125788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=125788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}