Center for Outcomes Based Contracting Spins Off as Independent Nonprofit

Executive director Brittany Miller stated the new structure provides the necessary autonomy to expand technical assistance for states and districts navigating performance-based agreements. The transition aligns with the Southern Education Foundation’s long-standing model of spinning off successful initiatives, a tradition dating back to its 1867 founding. SEF President Raymond Pierce will join the new organization's board of directors alongside leaders from Harvard’s Center for Education Policy Research and LearnerStudio.

Evidence for the model has grown alongside the Center’s operational scale. A WestEd evaluation confirmed that these contracts bolster district capacity and strengthen provider partnerships. Recent data from the Center’s 2025 Impact Report shows that across 46 contracts valued at $28 million, participating students utilized classroom technology at a rate nearly 14 times higher than industry averages. This shift toward accountability is gaining federal traction, with the U.S. Department of Education recently highlighting outcomes-based procurement in its guidance on meaningful learning opportunities. Legislative adoption is also accelerating, as seen in recent policy changes across Louisiana and Michigan.