Forward Arkansas announced it will support eight districts in maximizing their educational investments to deliver measurable student results. As part of the nonprofit’s Instructional Interventions Outcomes-Based Contracting (OBC) cohort, districts will receive a $10,000 flexible grant to help them design and implement an OBC for the 2027-28 school year.
“Outcomes-based contracting helps ensure districts’ dollars support what matters most: real progress for our state’s students,” said Edie Stewart, Forward’s CEO. “We’re excited to invest in this proven approach to help even more districts strengthen their instructional interventions, transform their partnerships with providers and improve student outcomes statewide.”
The Instructional Interventions OBC Cohort includes Camden Fairview School District, Delta Preparatory Schools, Glen Rose School District, Harrison Public Schools, Jonesboro School District, Norfork School District, Palestine-Wheatley School District and West Fork School District. Forward will oversee the initiative—its third OBC cohort—with support from the Center for Outcomes Based Contracting. Districts will begin their workshops at Forward’s OBC Fall 2026 Institute at the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock on October 28-29.
With an OBC, a substantial portion of a district’s payment—at least 40%—is contingent on the service provider meeting agreed-upon, measurable student results. The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) supports the approach. For the 2026-27 year, ADE prioritized districts leveraging the model, including participants in Forward’s OBC cohorts, when awarding grants for high-impact tutoring.
Photos of Forward’s check presentations to each district are available for download here.
