Education officials cite rising literacy scores as department seeks NIET contract extension

The Department of Education told the Fiscal Review Committee on March 23 it seeks a two‑year extension and $1,621,020 increase to its contract with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) to support the state’s K–5 early literacy network under the Literacy Success Act.

Anna Hall, the department’s legislative liaison, said the amendment expands technical support and additional services and that the department procured the original contract in 2024 and intends a competitive procurement at the end of this extension. Dr. Christy Wall, assistant commissioner of academics and instructional strategy, cited statewide gains tied to the literacy effort: "For the third consecutive year, third‑grade ELA proficiencies have increased... reaching a record high of 41.7 percent," Wall said. She also reported that 3–5 ELA proficiency rose from 31.5 percent in 2021 to 43.3 percent in 2025.

Senator Sutherland moved to approve and requested that fiscal review staff examine contract‑term length trends across procurements; several members supported the motion. The committee approved the amendment by voice vote.

Next steps: The Department of Education will extend the NIET contract as approved and plan a competitive procurement aligned with the next standards review and materials adoption cycle.