USBE confirms $4M‑plus contract amendment for test‑item development

Utah assessment leaders told assessment directors the state amended its contract with CAI for additional test‑item development at just over $4 million, drawing from carry‑forward state funds saved during pandemic years.

Staff said the board approved the amendment in the most recent board action as part of efforts to expand the RISE item bank and enable more robust remote administration for students in remote learning settings. The funds were described as available from carry‑forward balances and not from a new appropriation.

Why it matters: expanding the item bank supports test validity and provides more item options for accommodations and remote testing; the contract amendment affects vendor scope and item inventory for statewide assessments. USBE said continuing to build the bank will help accommodate secondary math and science items and support enhancements to Utah Aspire Plus and other assessments.

Process notes: the item‑development amendment is executed with CAI; USBE staff noted this is part of an ongoing multi‑year effort related to assessment platform modernization, including investments in remote‑admin capability within the RISE and Utah Aspire Plus ecosystems.

What USBE will do next: staff will continue to update ADs on timeline and how the new items will be integrated into assessments and training for test administrators.

Provenance: CAI contract amendment announcement and board support referenced during opening slides and assessment updates (topicintro at SEG 113; additional context through SEG 135).