Solution Tree withdraws $100M contract renewal with Arkansas Department of Education
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An education contract that was at the center of a debate in the Arkansas legislature has been withdrawn by its vendor.
The Arkansas Department of Education confirmed Tuesday that Solution Tree had withdrawn its teacher training contract with the state.
The withdrawal came in an email from Solution Tree CEO Jeffery C. Jones to Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva on Monday.
Jones gave two primary reasons for the company withdrawing its contract, citing the proposed contract’s change of focus from its Professional Learning Communities at Work curriculum and the lack of full cooperation of stakeholders.
“It is now our understanding that the expectations defined in the contract have shifted to new priorities,” Jones stated in the email.
Jones concluded his email by thanking ADE for its “amazing” partnership over the past seven years. Records show the contract cost $149.9 million during that time.
The contract with Solution Tree provided Professional Learning Communities at Work programs at Arkansas schools. The programs trained teachers to formally collaborate to improve student learning.
The contract was first discussed in May when the Arkansas Legislative Council Review Subcommittee debated its renewal for hours. Legislators heard that Solution Tree's proposed contracted price was $100 million, while other companies' offers ranged between $18 and $29 million.
Legislators expressed concern about the money being spent efficiently. Audit committee member state Rep. Grant Hodges (R-Centerton) said numbers in his district and others show students were not benefiting significantly from the teacher training, which he confirmed using Legislative Research figures.
The existing Solution Tree contract with the state expires June 30.
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