Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant - External Evaluation

The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is seeking a qualified external evaluator to assess the implementation and impact of its 2024-2029 Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant through a competitive Request for Proposal (NDERFP241101). The primary objective is to measure the effectiveness of Nebraska's "Journey to Inclusive Literacy through NeMTSS" initiative, which aims to enhance literacy outcomes across the state. Key deliverables include an evaluation implementation timeline, data collection plan, implementation and impact study reports, quarterly and annual progress reports, and participation in federal reporting. The evaluation will focus on three main goals: aligning statewide literacy tools and resources, providing statewide teacher and leader training in structured literacy and Science of Reading, and supporting the implementation of high-quality instructional materials. Proposal submissions are due by March 12, 2025, with potential vendor demonstrations scheduled for March 24-28, 2025. The contract award is anticipated by April 23, 2025, with work beginning on April 30, 2025. The evaluation will examine implementation aspects such as alignment with state initiatives, fidelity of implementation, and factors supporting or impeding progress, as well as the impact on equity and student outcomes.

The procurement includes provisions for resident disabled veteran and enterprise zone preferences in accordance with Nebraska state law, potentially offering advantages to qualified vendors meeting these criteria. The project involves approximately $52 million in CLSD funding, with at least 95% allocated to subgrants targeting different educational levels: 15% for birth-kindergarten programs, 40% for K-5 programs, and 40% for grades 6-12 programs. Priority will be given to applications serving children from families below 200% of the poverty line and LEAs with high-need schools. The project aims to directly impact 105,000 students annually, train all of Nebraska's 23,758 educators, and provide literacy resources to 100,000 children from low-income families. The contract term is initially one year, with options to renew annually through December 31, 2029. While a specific budget for the external evaluation is not explicitly stated in the provided documents, the cost sheet template suggests vendors will need to provide detailed pricing for project deliverables. The evaluation will be supported by multiple NDE offices and external partners, with the expectation of an independent third-party assessment to track progress in increasing grade-level reading proficiency across all student groups.