The Center for Outcomes Based Contracting Concludes 2024 Annual Fall Convening and Provider Summit

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MEDIA CONTACT: Phylicia King, Phylica.King@smjcomms.com

The Center for Outcomes Based Contracting Concludes 2024 Annual Fall Convening and Provider Summit

AUSTIN, TX– The Center for Outcomes Based Contracting (The Center) concluded its third annual Fall Convening and first Provider Summit, September 23-26, 2024 in Austin, Texas. This year’s events, themed “From Goals to Results: Improving Student Achievement Through OBC,” attracted nearly 90 distinct organizations, including more than 200 attendees from districts, state education agencies, providers, and strategic partners committed to transforming student outcomes through innovative contracting practices.

This event also marked the official announcement of the initiative’s evolution from Outcomes Based Contracting at the Southern Education Foundation to the Center for OBC. The Center will redefine school district and service provider collaborations, focusing on advancing student outcomes and ensuring long-term success. It will set new standards in educational contracting by providing expertise and support to drive measurable success in K-12 education. By 2030, the Center will serve one million students under outcomes based contracts and achieve two million measurable student outcomes, marking a transformative shift in education investments.

The OBC model emphasizes setting clear, measurable expectations within contracts, where at least 40 percent of the overall payment to a provider is contingent on achieving agreed-upon student outcomes. This model cultivates a culture of mutual accountability and collaboration, aligning investments with tangible improvements in student learning. The Convening and Summit provided attendees with critical skills and knowledge to implement and sustain these practices, aiming for long-term success in educational outcomes.

The event featured more than 15 unique breakout sessions hosted by more than 10 organizations, fostering a deep understanding of how the OBC model can drive significant advancements in student achievement. Participants engaged with thought leaders and practitioners to explore effective strategies for leveraging OBC to enhance educational practices.

“This year’s Convening and Provider Summit marked a significant milestone for OBC and the education sector. We are thrilled to see such an engaged and diverse group of participants committed to improving student outcomes through the OBC model. The discussions and collaborations held here will undoubtedly contribute to advancing educational practices across the nation,” said Brittany Miller, PhD, Managing Director of Outcomes Based Contracting.

Both events sparked incredible excitement from attendees, with many districts and providers expressing eagerness to deepen their understanding of outcomes based contracting. “There’s an undeniable momentum among our partners to implement OBC with excellence,” said Miller. “Our participants are ready to take the next step toward aligning their investments with measurable student success, and the Center is here to guide them on that journey.” A few highlights shared include:

“This has been one of the most enjoyable/impactful PD opportunities of my career – from the food and lodging to the general and break out sessions (content and connections). The concept of OBC is definitely a huge mindset shift for the positive!”
“It is ripe time for our SEA to utilize OBC and I am excited to bring this information back to my team to overhaul how we think about contracting.”
“Overall I thought it was a really strong conference. I entered with very little understanding of OBC and I left with a strong grounding in what OBC is, why it could benefit my district, and the resources to start to implement some small pieces of OBC.”
“In 20 years of education, rarely have I felt that “public education holds worth” more than I did this week, from content and conversations to venue. Thanks to the OBC staff for its vision and execution, and most of all, for caring deeply about students in the public education sector.”

Attendees offered glowing feedback about the Convening and Summit, citing the opportunity to engage with like-minded peers and learn from real-world examples of OBC success. Providers expressed enthusiasm about the chance to collaborate more deeply with districts to achieve long-term results. The energy in the room was palpable, with many participants eager to return to their organizations with actionable strategies to implement OBC with confidence and clarity.

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About the Southern Education Foundation

Originally founded in 1867 to educate Black children and children from low-income families in the South, the Southern Education Foundation also has a long history of developing leaders in education and was a pivotal source of research and data to support legislation and litigation aimed at fighting inequity in education during the civil rights era. The organization today conducts leadership development, research, and advocacy to improve educational opportunities for students of color and students from low-income families and achieve educational equity in the southern U.S. It is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Find out more at https://southerneducation.org .

The Center for Outcomes Based Contracting

The Center for Outcomes Based Contracting is the leading authority in advancing outcomes based contracting, a transformative model that ensures educational investments are tied to measurable student success. The Center provides districts and providers with the tools, training, and insights needed to implement OBC effectively. By 2030, the Center will reach one million students, ensuring two million student outcomes are achieved. Through strategic partnerships, thought leadership, and continuous innovation, the Center is driving systemic change in K-12 education.For more information, visit https://obc.southerneducation.org/.