OBC Cohorts

The OBC Cohort is a game-changer

Watch the video about how states and districts find success in accountability through coaching, resources, and experience in an OBC Cohort.

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• What level of commitment is required from participating states?

  Participating states and their districts are expected to dedicate time and resources to actively engage in virtual workshops, coaching sessions, and implementation activities throughout the cohort. While the exact time commitment may vary over the duration of the cohort experience, districts should allocate on average ~5 hours per month to the cohort. Cohort state districts should also plan to participate in a 2-3 day site visit to engage with OBC in action (at no additional cost to the district).

• What support is available to states beyond the cohort period?

  Beyond the cohort period, districts have access to ongoing support and resources to sustain and scale their outcomes based contracting initiatives. This includes continued access to national experts, peer district and state-based networks, and additional training opportunities to further enhance implementation and ensure long-term success, including the Center for OBC’s Annual Fall Convening.

• How are states selected to participate in the Center for OBC Cohort?

  States are selected based on a combination of factors, including readiness to adopt outcomes based contracting practices and capacity to actively engage in cohort activities across multiple districts.

  Interested SEA leaders should use the contact form to schedule a meeting to learn more or apply. If you are an individual district, please reach out to your regional and state leaders, and take advantage of our open source district toolkit.

• Can applicants with varying levels of experience in outcomes based contracting participate in the cohort?

  Yes, states with districts that have varying levels of experience in outcomes based contracting are encouraged to participate in the cohort. Whether you are new to OBC or have some experience, the cohort provides a supportive environment for learning, collaboration, and growth. National experts and peer networks will tailor support to meet the needs of each participating district within your state.

• How does the Center for OBC help states promote financial sustainability?

  OBC promotes financial sustainability within districts by tying contract payments directly to educational achievements ensures that every dollar invested goes toward driving tangible student progress. By tying payments to outcomes, outcomes based contracts ensure that all stakeholders share a common goal: student success.

• What are some examples of successful OBC initiatives across the country?

  Ector County ISD used Outcomes Based Contracts for a total of $4.7 million in contracts with tutoring providers, delivering high-impact math and literacy tutoring to 5,000 3rd-8th grade students who scored “did not meet” on the Spring 2021 STAAR assessment. This resulted in 50% of the students achieving targeted growth outcomes and prompting the district to expand the OBC model into additional areas of instructional services.

  In Colorado Springs District 11, district leaders planned an outcomes based tutoring intervention for 4th-8th grade students scoring below grade level in math on the Renaissance Star district benchmark assessment. In spring 2023, ~200 students received tutoring and met 46% of targeted growth and proficiency outcomes. Based on this success, the district renewed and expanded its tutoring OBC for SY 2023-24. At one school, approximately 50% of participating students were exited from tutoring at the mid-year mark because they had met the proficiency targets.

  Learn more about the impact of outcomes based contracting in our 2024 impact report or by reading articles in our featured series, Impact in Action.