Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Assessments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Arizona board votes to open RFP for new statewide assessments, limits technical details to executive session
Summary
The State Board of Education voted to open a request for proposals to replace contracts for statewide math, English language arts and science assessments — keeping vendor‑specific technical questions confidential and aiming for any new tests to be first administered in spring 2028.
The Arizona State Board of Education voted to open a request for proposals for statewide assessments in math, English language arts and science after a public briefing on procurement timelines and confidentiality rules.
Bethany Spangenberg, deputy associate superintendent for assessment at the Arizona Department of Education, told the board the state currently holds assessment contracts awarded in 2020 with extension options through spring 2027 and that opening the RFP now will create a runway for implementation and field supports if a new vendor is selected. "These contracts were last awarded in 2020 and implemented in the 2021–22 school year," Spangenberg said, adding that the department plans solicitation, vendor evaluation this spring and presentation of a recommendation to the board before joint legislative review.
Executive Director Ross emphasized the procurement constraints: questions about timeline or process can be addressed in public; questions about confidential RFP content and vendor bids require executive session. Board members asked procedural clarifications including contract length; Spangenberg said current contracts were three‑year awards with annual extensions up to four additional years.
After a brief executive session to discuss confidential RFP matters, the board voted to open the RFP for math and ELA (grades 3–8 and high school) and science (5th, 8th and high school). The motion carried on a voice vote. The department reiterated its target that new assessments, if awarded following procurement and necessary approvals, would be scheduled for first administration in spring 2028, following the 2027 administration under existing contracts.
What happens next: the department will post the solicitation in the state procurement portal, collect vendor proposals, and return to the board with a recommendation. The department also noted a required joint legislative budget committee review after board approval. The board emphasized it will separate timeline/process questions (public) from confidential vendor specifics (executive session) during the procurement.
