The State Department of Education told the board that the Foundations of Reading assessment, used for teacher preparation and licensure, will be moved onto Pearson’s National Evaluation Series platform and renumbered from 190 to 890.

“Everything that you guys approved for 190 remains the same,” said the department presenter. The department emphasized the change is a renumbering and platform shift rather than a content change. Staff said the item content, structure and passing score will remain unchanged; if the board approves the administrative update, the current “190” label will be replaced by “890.”

Officials described several practical benefits from the platform change: after‑three‑attempts free testing for candidates (attempts beyond the third are free under Pearson’s platform), an interactive full-length practice test to replace the current PDF practice sheet, and access to Pearson’s WriteStart modules (a paid study bundle priced in staff remarks at about $35 for a 30‑day subscription and $75 for a 90‑day subscription). Staff said higher‑resolution objective‑level reporting will be available to teacher-education programs so colleges and universities can analyze candidate performance by objective rather than only by subarea.

Board members asked whether universities could buy vouchers in bulk and whether vouchers could be reallocated from existing 190 vouchers to 890. The department said vouchers exist, that universities can purchase vouchers, and that unused 190 vouchers could be transferred to 890. Staff said they would gather additional pricing and voucher-purchase details and follow up with institutions that request that information.

The department said this change is intended to improve candidate supports, expand practice resources and provide more detailed data to colleges and universities without changing the test’s passing standard.