August 4, 2026
K-12 Dive reports on new WestEd research examining outcomes based contracting across eight early-adopter districts in California, Florida, Mississippi, and Texas, finding promising academic gains in several districts alongside costs comparable to traditional contracts — early evidence that paying for results can strengthen both student outcomes and district-vendor accountability.
New WestEd research finds early promise for outcomes based contracting, but can't yet separate contract effects from coaching support.
New WestEd research on outcomes based contracting weighs the promise and the pitfalls of paying providers for student results.
Former Newark superintendent Chris Cerf argues outcomes based contracting gives accountability a more durable path forward.