22 Jun 2026 Forward Arkansas supporting five districts in transforming educational contracts
LITTLE ROCK — Forward Arkansas is expanding access to an innovative education model, enabling five school districts to redesign their partnerships with service providers to deliver instructional interventions that produce measurable student results. Following the success of its inaugural state-based outcomes-based contracting (OBC) cohort, the nonprofit is providing support to Cabot Public Schools, Farmington Public Schools, Mayflower Public Schools, the Pine Bluff School District and Warren School District to participate in the District Contract Accelerator.
“Over the past year, we’ve seen firsthand how outcomes-based contracts are helping districts reimagine their partnerships with providers to directly tie educational investments to measurable student success,” said Meghan Busbey, senior director of programs. “By leveraging this model, districts are not only ensuring their intervention programs are implemented with fidelity but transforming how they’re supporting students on the ground.”
Forward awarded each district a $9,500 Spark Grant to participate in the program. The 14-month experience, guided by the Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting, includes expert-led workshops, personalized coaching sessions, access to proven tools, templates and data-tracking frameworks, written contract quality assurance and a fully designed OBC tailored to the district’s specific context. Throughout the process, Forward will convene the five districts to share best practices and set the conditions for future statewide scaling.
About Forward Arkansas
Established in 2015 by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and Walton Family Foundation, Forward Arkansas is committed to reimagining learning to improve all students’ outcomes. By supporting great teachers and leaders in developing and scaling innovative practices, Forward aims to help all kids achieve success in the classroom, career and life. For more information, visit forwardarkansas.org.
