FY27 Aligning Quality Across DC's Mixed Delivery System Through Interaction-Based Assesments Grant

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is soliciting a single grantee for a five-year grant to develop and implement a plan for observing publicly funded infant and toddler classrooms, child development homes, and expanded homes groups in Washington, DC. The primary objective is to align pre-K and infant/toddler observations to understand program quality across the District and provide targeted professional development. The period of performance runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031. Key deliverables include an approved observation protocol, a detailed first-year work plan, a data collection and evaluation system, and professional development utilizing CLASS Second Edition Infant-Toddler or CLASS Toddler (2008) evaluations. Applicants must demonstrate at least three years of experience in large-scale program evaluations at a citywide or statewide level and prior experience with early childhood research in urban settings. Staffing requirements are stringent, requiring a project lead, a research expert, and certified observers who must reside within a 100-mile radius of the DC Metropolitan area and pass specific criminal background checks. Additionally, the grantee must provide at least two bilingual certified observers for Spanish and Amharic. All observers must be certified according to Teachstone guidelines. The application process requires a comprehensive package submitted via EGMS by November 11, 2026, including a work plan, staffing plan, audited financial statements for the past three years, and various attestations regarding priority areas and legal compliance. Evaluation is based on organizational information, capacity to execute the grant, ability to provide training on DC observation tools, and planned expenditures. The grantee must adhere to strict data confidentiality standards, including compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and OSSE-administered training on personally identifiable information.