25MACISPM2 - Attachment A - final.docx

135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149 | 781.338.3000 | TTY: N.E.T. Relay (800).439.2370 Attachment A

Alternate ID: 25MACISPM2 COMMBUYS Bid #: BD-25-1026-DOE02-DOE01-115156

Background:

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is expressing interest in a Computer Programming for Educators course as one potential approach for preparing teachers to teach Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) at the middle and high school level. Many teachers need coursework to support their ability to pass the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) for DLCS, which includes a rigorous emphasis on computer science (CS) content knowledge including text-based programming.

DESE is looking for Vendors who already have or who can create a Computer Programming for Educators course that is a proven, effective strategy for increasing teacher preparedness in DLCS.

Scope of Service:

DESE is seeking to create a Departmental Master Agreement of bidders who can effectively support educators with appropriate computer programming coursework opportunities to prepare them to build their fluency in computer programming including pseudo-code design and text-based, object-oriented programming. The course may, optionally, begin by introducing educators to a graphical programming language (e.g., Scratch, Blockly) prior to introducing a text-based language. This coursework should be an introductory course for educators geared towards the level of programming knowledge needed to teach an introductory high school CS class that uses a text-based programming language. This course is not intended to prepare an educator to teach an advanced programming class (e.g., AP CS A with Java).

As a part of this BID you will be awarded a contract with DESE, be placed on a prequalified list and have access to opportunities available only to organizations selected. DESE may also purchase vouchers, for educator preparation, to distribute to course-takers. In addition, DESE will widely share and promote the course your organization provides on the DESE Website and in public settings such as conferences and meetings with stakeholders.

DESE is looking for organizations who have successfully implemented introductory Computer Programming courses for educators in grades 5-12 to support CS content knowledge-building in order to pass the DLCS 5-12 MTEL. There may be a variety of approaches to this work, but an ideal solution would cover most of the standards from the Computational Thinking and Computer Science “Integration of Knowledge and Understanding” content of the MTEL in DLCS, with a focus on those excerpted below:

Subarea IV4–Computational Thinking 0008—Apply concepts related to abstraction and algorithms.

For example:

· Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts of abstraction and the creation of new representations through generalization and decomposition in problem-solving contexts (e.g., algorithmic abstraction, data abstraction).

· Demonstrate knowledge of concepts related to iterative algorithms (e.g., iteration, modularization, reusability).

· Apply knowledge of how to represent algorithms in a variety of ways (e.g., flowcharts, pseudocode), realizing that there are some problems that cannot be computationally solved.

· Analyze algorithms represented in a variety of formats to predict outcomes and to identify and correct errors.

· Select an appropriate algorithm to perform a given task.

0010—Apply concepts related to computer programming.

For example:

· Apply knowledge of variables and data types (e.g., integer, real, string) for representing information.

· Apply knowledge of expressions (e.g., arithmetic, Boolean, string), operators (e.g., assignment, concatenation, comparison), and operator precedence.

· Apply knowledge of conditional structures (e.g., if-then, if-then-else) to control the flow of a program.

· Apply knowledge of looping structures (e.g., for, while).

· Apply knowledge of functions (e.g., parameters, values).

· Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and uses of data structures (e.g., records, lists, multidimensional data structures).

0011—Apply concepts related to program development and testing.

For example:

· Demonstrate knowledge of programming concepts (e.g., modularization, global and local variables).

· Demonstrate knowledge of concepts related to object-oriented programming (e.g., classes, objects, encapsulation, inheritance).

· Apply knowledge of code reuse, libraries, and integrated development environments (IDEs).

· Demonstrate knowledge of testing and debugging methods.

· Demonstrate knowledge of program documentation.

The preparation provided to individual candidates should:

· Meet the needs of candidates with varying learning styles.

· Use culturally and linguistically sustaining practices that build a sense of belonging for all candidates, especially those from groups which are underrepresented in CS including female students, students of color, English language learners, and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

· Include lessons and tasks that advance learning with clear purpose.

· Have informal and formal assessments that measure learning and allow for targeting/shifting to support individual candidates.

· Be coherent and sequenced to build content knowledge systematically.

In addition, all selected organizations will submit an annual report on the anonymized results of the educators in their course who received vouchers. This report will include results of pre- and post- tests that are aligned to the standards from the Computational Thinking and Computer Science “Integration of Knowledge and Understanding” content of the MTEL in DLCS, that are listed above. The annual report will additionally provide your organization’s proposed shifts to the coursework to improve any areas of weakness identified by student results on the pre- and post-tests.

Budget:

Note: DESE does not cover the costs associated with the course and budgetary needs must be covered by course fees or other revenue.

DESE reserves the right to purchase vouchers, from awarded vendors, to distribute to course takers, if applicable. If DESE is purchasing vouchers, the purchase may be secured through the posting of a Request for Quote (RFQ) on COMMBUYS. RFQ awarded vendors will enter into a work order agreement with DESE to provide the vouchers.

Districts seeking to procure services will do so under a separate contract agreement, following applicable procurement law. DESE will not be held responsible for these contract agreements, payments, or non-compliance.

Bidders must provide an all-inclusive cost (i.e. all expenses related to services must be inclusive per deliverable, hourly, daily, per student or per test) for the Introduction to Computer Programming for Educators course with your response for each fiscal year: FY25 (approval – June 30, 2025), FY26 (July1, 2025 – June 30, 2026), and FY27 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).

Required Qualifications:

The bidder must have:

· Demonstrated success in effectively preparing students in computer science content at an introductory level.

· Demonstrated experience providing courses for educators who teach grades 5-12.

· The ability to make the course available to educators statewide.

Preferred Qualifications:

The bidder is preferred to have:

· Demonstrates success in effectively supporting students from historically underrepresented groups (e.g., female, Black, Latina/o etc.) in learning computer science content.

· Demonstrates success in infusing culturally and linguistically sustaining practices into their instruction.

· Demonstrates evidence that they have examined and are working to improve their practices and supports (internal and/or external) from a racial equity lens.

· A cost-effective course such that it is affordable for people with a variety of income levels.

· The ability to provide course vouchers to educators should the Department elect to purchase them.

Submission Requirements:

Bidders must submit a response with the following sections:

Section 1: A description of your organization (max 1 page) Section 2: A list of courses in Digital Literacy and/or Computer Science geared towards educators that your organization provides (max 1 page) Section 3: One of DESE’s foremost goals is to address inequities in education that exist in the Commonwealth. Describe, in a 1-page narrative, your organization’s commitment to and actions taken to ensure equity (this should include efforts within your own organization to support equity and efforts when providing services to clients, as applicable). In addition, please share your organization’s current challenges with and ongoing efforts to ensure your organization is working towards building the mindsets, practices, and skills to support this initiative.

This should include your organization’s current use of culturally and linguistically sustaining pedagogy that engages students historically underrepresented in computer science (e.g., female, Black, Latina/o) (max 1 page) Section 4: A summary of course materials for an Introduction to Computer Programming for Educators course. This summary must include:

· Max 1 page:

· Delivery/format, e.g. in-person, online, etc.

· Length, e.g. one semester, one six-hour session, etc.

· Programming language(s) used in the course

· How long educators have access to the course/preparation materials post completion of the course

· Number of years your organization has provided the course/preparation and the number of individuals that have participated in the course/preparation

· Cost per student (inclusive of any required materials and physical computing devices: e.g., micro:bit) for each fiscal year: FY25 (approval – June 30, 2025), FY26 (July1, 2025 – June 30, 2026), and FY27 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).

· Minimum and maximum class size

· Prerequisites for the course including technology requirements

· Max 2 pages: A crosswalk of the MTEL objectives as listed in “Subarea IV4–Computational Thinking”, above, and corresponding content of the course

· Max 4 pages: Course syllabus

· Max 2 pages per individual: The curriculum vitae or resume for any individual who teaches the course Section 5: Examples of scholarships and/or financial support provided to educators for this or similar coursework (max 1 page) Section 6: Eligibility requirements to participate in the course (max 1 page) Section 7: Evidence of impact of your CS and educator coursework, including at least one of the following (max 4 pages):

· Pass rate results (this evidence of impact will be prioritized in the scoring of proposals), disaggregated by:

· Course

· Race/Ethnicity

· Average and Median grade

· Aggregate survey data from CS students and/or education students

· Other evidence to demonstrate effectiveness of CS coursework and/or 5-12 educator coursework

· Prompt Payment Discount (PPD) Form (available on COMMBUYS to download, complete and upload with response). Bidders are highly encouraged to offer a PPD to expediate payment and provide cost savings to the Commonwealth. Bidders unable to provide a discount can claim hardship. Hardship must be accepted by the team and procurement office.

Responses MUST be uploaded to COMMBUYS. Responses not posted to COMMBUYS will not be considered for evaluation. Do not Email and/or mail responses to the department.

To respond to this bid, please register on the COMMBUYS website. If you need assistance contact the OSD Help Desk at OSDHelpDesk@mass.gov or (8am - 5pm ET Monday – Friday) at 1-888-627-8283 or 617-720-3197.

PLEASE NOTE: All bid postings such as this one, that is $250,000 or less annually, will give preference to Small Business Program Plan (SBPP) registered bidders. Those that are registered SBPP bidders will be evaluated first and if able to meet all the needs of the procurement, will be awarded. Non-SBPP bidders are not reviewed if a SBPP bidder can be awarded. To learn more about the SBPP click here.

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