# How School Districts Can Pay Vendors Based on Student Outcomes

By Michael B. Horn · Published 2025-03-25 · Updated 2026-06-08 · Education Technology on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/education-technology/how-school-districts-can-pay-vendors-based-on-student-outcomes
Creator hub: The Future of Education with Michael Horn

> School districts are rethinking vendor payments to align spending with actual improvements in student learning

## Key points

- Outcomes-based contracting ties vendor payments to actual student learning gains, replacing traditional service-based agreements.
- Real-world implementations in Denver and Duval County use tools like rate cards and contingency payments to create mutual accountability between districts and vendors.
- Districts can reinvest leftover contingency dollars to expand programs that demonstrably work, maximizing the impact of limited education budgets.

Block Field

As school districts face growing pressure to spend limited funds wisely and show measurable returns on investment, a bold new model is gaining traction: paying vendors based on student outcomes rather than services rendered. With the [end of ESSER funding](https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/esser-is-ending-which-investments-accomplished-the-most/2024/09) and increased scrutiny from school boards, districts are seeking ways to ensure that every dollar directly improves [student achievement](https://marketscale.com/industries/education-technology/education-sector-needs-to-focus-on-tailoring-solutions-to-meet-student-and-teacher-needs/).

So, how can school districts shift from traditional contracts to ones that tie payment to actual learning gains? And what does that process look like in the real world?

In this episode of [*The Future of Education*](https://marketscale.com/shows/the-future-of-education-with-michael-horn/), host [Michael Horn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbhorn/) speaks with [**Dr. Brittany Miller**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-miller-phd-290a13b3/) and [**Jasmine Walker**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-walker-142903237/) of the [**Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting**](https://obc.southerneducation.org/). Together, they explore how outcomes-based contracting (OBC) is being implemented in districts nationwide, what mutual accountability between schools and vendors looks like, and why now is the right moment for this model to scale.

**Main topics covered:**

- How outcomes-based contracts work, including rate cards, contingency payments, and the role of mutual accountability
- Real-world case studies from Denver and Duval County implementing OBC in high-impact tutoring
- How districts can use leftover contingency dollars to reinvest in what works — and expand successful programs

### About the Speakers

**Dr. Brittany Miller** is a nationally recognized education systems leader with deep expertise in strategic planning, continuous improvement, and outcomes-based contracting. She has led district transformation efforts across Denver Public Schools and the Southern Education Foundation, where she now serves as Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director of the Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting. With a background spanning teaching, research, and executive leadership, Dr. Miller is known for building cross-sector partnerships and driving equity-focused, data-informed change in K–12 education.

**Jasmine Walker** is an experienced K–12 education leader with a strong background in mathematics instruction, school administration, and outcomes-based contracting. Over nearly 17 years with Duval County Public Schools, she served in roles from teacher to K–12 Director of Mathematics, leading districtwide efforts to improve student achievement. Now Director of District Engagement at the Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting, she supports school systems nationwide in implementing performance-based vendor partnerships that align spending with student outcomes.

Tags: Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting, Dr. Brittany Miller, ESSER funding, Jasmine Walker, Michael Horn, The Future of Education

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