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Committee presses DOE on device purchases, LMS choice and untranslated psychological tests
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Summary
Questions focused on the department's technology purchases and platform choices, and on recently acquired psychological assessment materials that remain unadministered because they are in English; DOE said it will work with universities to translate/validate the tests and is training psychologists before use.
Committee members raised questions about the Department’s procurement strategy for technology, the choice of Microsoft Teams as a learning management platform, and purchases of psychological assessment materials that were reportedly in English.
On devices and procurement, members contrasted large‑scale laptop refresh purchases with lower‑cost international models ("one‑hundred‑dollar laptops") and asked whether alternative procurement strategies or partnerships (for example, Smart Island broadband) could reduce costs and extend access. The secretary said contracts are governed by central procurement rules and that purchase orders are being processed to replace older devices.
On the learning management system, at least one member asked why Teams—rather than a purpose‑built LMS—was being used in schools. A department official responded that Teams is the platform currently in use and that staff would provide documentation about evaluation criteria.
Members also raised a high‑profile concern about psychological screening materials bought for school psychologists. The department acknowledged that two purchased instruments were in English, that the tests had not been administered, and that the DOE has opened collaborative agreements with universities and specialists to translate, standardize and train psychologists on administration in Spanish. "No se han administrado," a special‑education official said, adding the department has a translation and training plan.
The committee asked the department to supply the LMS evaluation documentation, procurement rules used for the device purchases, and the timeline and agreements for translating and validating psychological tests.
