Academic Credit for Prior Learning Pilot for Paraeducator Pathways

The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB), in partnership with the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), intends to award a sole-source contract to the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), Inc., for development of Academic Credit for Prior Learning pathways for paraeducators, with capability statements due September 17, 2026. This is a sole-source procurement; PESB determined that CAEL's position as a recognized national leader in ACPL and its extensive paraeducator-specific experience justify single-source award, and market research across DES Statewide Contracts, OMWBE Dataportal, and WEBS databases plus direct outreach to three national CPL leaders identified no alternative vendors meeting contract requirements.

The scope encompasses institutional reviews at eight pilot sites, including policy and process analysis, stakeholder interviews, and cross-site synthesis; development of competency crosswalks, evidence and portfolio tools, unified ACPL and transfer-credit guidance, and joint articulation agreements across associate, bachelor's, and graduate or teacher-preparation pathways; technical assistance and project convenings; integrated project management; and access to CAEL's ACPL research, professional development, communities of practice, and national peer connections.

The contract value is $170,735 funded entirely by state dollars, comprising $132,000 for institutional services, $26,400 for project management over eleven months, and $12,335 for CAEL membership provisions (including a 15% multi-institution discount and approximately $6,960 cost avoidance). The contract term runs September 2026 through July 31, 2027. The cost is deemed fair and reasonable based on Washington State consulting rates averaging $283.54 per hour, equating to approximately 559 hours of professional services. Payment is split: $85,335 due September 30, 2026, and $85,400 due July 15, 2027, with payment expected within thirty days of invoice approval. Capability statements should address demonstrated understanding of paraeducator roles, cross-institutional work experience, policy coordination capacity, project management ability, and established ACPL capacity-building expertise.