Alignment Study of WA Comprehensive Assessment Program

The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is seeking a consultant to conduct a comprehensive alignment study of the state's Comprehensive Assessment Program, focusing on evaluating the alignment of general and alternate assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. The project will examine forty grade-level state assessments, including Smarter Balanced assessments, Washington Access to Instruction and Measurement (WA-AIM) assessments, and WIDA ACCESS assessments for multilingual learners. Key deliverables include a detailed analysis of how current assessments align with the revised 2024 State Learning Standards, recommendations for blueprint adjustments, and identification of potential content coverage gaps. The contractor will be required to provide a thorough evaluation that involves input from educators and subject matter experts, potentially including in-person meetings near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Critical dates for this procurement include a pre-bid conference on April 2, 2025, with proposals due by 3:00 pm PT on May 23, 2025, and a tentative contract period from July 28, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

The procurement does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The total budgeted amount for the alignment study is $1,708,928, with specific allocations including $598,125 for Smarter Balanced Assessments, $598,125 for WA-AIM assessments, $256,339 for WIDA ACCESS, and $256,339 for WIDA Alternate ACCESS. Fifteen percent of the funding will come from federal money under the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 84.369A. The study will require deep expertise in educational assessment, curriculum standards, and the ability to conduct comprehensive analytical work across multiple assessment platforms. While no incumbent vendors are explicitly mentioned, the project suggests a need for consultants with significant experience in educational assessment alignment, standards development, and comprehensive review methodologies. The contractor will be expected to provide a robust, data-driven analysis that supports OSPI's goal of ensuring assessment accuracy and alignment with current educational standards.