ED - Evaluation of the IADA and CGSA Programs - MRAS

The U.S. Department of Education, through the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and in collaboration with the General Services Administration (GSA), is conducting market research to evaluate two significant educational programs: the Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA) and the Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA). The overarching goal of this initiative is to assess and enhance the quality and efficacy of state assessment systems used to measure academic achievement among elementary and secondary school students. This evaluation is mandated under Title I, Section 1204 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

The IADA program allows State Educational Agencies (SEAs) or consortia to develop innovative assessment systems that can be integrated into statewide accountability frameworks. This initiative aims to ensure that these innovative systems can meet future academic assessment requirements under Title I, Part A of ESEA once their demonstration authority concludes. Meanwhile, the CGSA program focuses on enhancing state assessment instruments' quality by providing competitive grants. These grants aim to replace previous programs like the Enhanced Assessment Grants authorized under No Child Left Behind.

The scope of work involves a comprehensive evaluation conducted by IES that builds on prior studies, including a report released in 2023 on early implementation progress for IADA. The evaluation will examine both programs' effectiveness in achieving their stated goals and objectives, focusing on how well they improve educational assessments at state levels. By understanding these dynamics, the Department aims to refine these initiatives further, ensuring they contribute effectively to educational standards across states.