Instructional Coherence and Shared Responsibilities: OBC’s Impact on EdTech Procurement

This report explores how outcomes-based contracting (OBC) is reshaping edtech procurement by tying vendor payments to measurable student outcomes. Despite billions spent annually, many districts struggle with low ROI, poor implementation, and unused licenses. OBC introduces a more collaborative, data-driven approach that aligns district goals, provider support, and classroom needs. Findings show that OBC improves implementation rates, strengthens instructional coherence, and increases the use of data for continuous improvement. While challenges such as staff capacity remain, the model demonstrates strong potential to optimize edtech investments and drive meaningful student success.