State assessment staff told Utah assessment directors that English language arts growth calculations likely will not appear in the Data Gateway until mid‑November after a quality‑control delay in a data file supplied by testing vendor Cambium.

Assessment staff said the file from Cambium was expected the week of Oct. 20 and that, after the state data statistics team runs its checks, growth calculations should follow in a matter of weeks. Staff emphasized the delay affected the data file only and not the portal reports already visible in RISE reporting.

The issue is linked to broader assessment work the board recently approved. At its October meeting the Utah State Board of Education approved a carry‑forward spending plan that allocates a large portion of one‑time funds to expanded item development. State staff said the board expects to propose contract amendments with Cambium to increase item development over the next one to two years and to add standard‑setting work tied to new math standards.

Why it matters: the carry‑forward and contract amendments drive what assessments are available next year and affect timelines for growth reporting and high‑school benchmark availability. Staff warned that without additional legislative funding, the state’s ability to provide K–3 or broader K–8 assessments could be constrained.

Key details reported by assessment staff:
- Cambium QC delayed receipt of a data file; staff expected it the week of Oct. 20 and told directors to plan for growth calculations in mid‑November after state processing and validation.
- The board approved a carry‑forward spend plan that directs money toward item development and standard setting; staff plan to bring related contract amendments to the December board meeting.
- The board submitted statutory requests to the Legislature for changes to requirements, including removing math from K–3 early learning plan statutory text (staff said math’s presence appears to be an oversight) and seeking a large funding request to expand a K–3 reading initiative to grades K–8 and to include math.
- State staff noted the K–8 ELA and math initiative is a multi‑million dollar request (described to assessment directors as “tens of millions”) and would include providing assessments in grades K–8; the board ranked that request among its top legislative funding priorities.
- If the K–8 funding does not pass, the state plans to pursue a separate K–3 math assessment funding request. Staff flagged a current shortfall: the legislature provided about $300,000 for the current K–3 math assessment contract through June 2026, roughly $1.50 per K–3 student, which staff said would not cover licenses with current vendors.

What staff told directors about timing and next steps: once the Cambium file arrives, the statistics team will calculate growth and run quality checks before posting results in the Data Gateway. School report card embargo and local review remain on the schedule for early January, and staff said they will notify directors if further delays affect those dates.

Assessment staff urged directors with questions about the timelines or legislative priorities to contact the assessment office directly.