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State Board approves one-year emergency assessment contract with Data Recognition Corporation
Summary
The Mississippi State Board of Education voted to award a one-year emergency contract to Data Recognition Corporation to administer the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program for fiscal 2026 after an executive-session strategy discussion about a protest from Cambium.
The Mississippi State Board of Education on Aug. 4 voted to award an emergency one-year contract to Data Recognition Corporation to administer the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program, including the state’s alternative assessment, for fiscal year 2026.
The board moved the action after a closed executive session that the board said was authorized under Mississippi Code Annotated §25-41-7(4)(b) for strategy regarding prospective litigation and an appealable order connected to a protest filed by Cambium over the contract originally awarded for statewide assessments.
Chairman Matt Miller moved the emergency contract, saying, “I’ll move that the board through on an emergency contract with Data Recognition Corporation, another CRC, the fiscal year 2026 to administer statewide assessments for the Mississippi academic assessment program, including the alternative assessment program.” After a voice vote, the motion passed. Dr. Lance Evans, speaking from the Mississippi Department of Education boardroom, reminded the board that “That is correct. Emergency contracts can only be for 1 year.”
Board members conducted the special-call meeting by teleconference under Mississippi Code Annotated §25-41-5; Miller announced the meeting and that an audio recording and minutes would be made. The board had previously voted unanimously to go into the executive session for negotiations and litigation strategy related to the protest by Cambium and an ITS/State Board contract award.
The action directs the Mississippi Department of Education to contract with Data Recognition Corporation for the upcoming school year to ensure statewide assessments are administered while the protested procurement is pending. The board did not provide a multi-year award; the contract is limited to one year as stated during the meeting. The transcript did not record a roll-call vote with individual member tallies, only a unanimous voice vote on the motion.
With no other business on the specially called agenda, the board adjourned at 4:22 p.m.
