NC 'must halt its implementation' of contract with new K-3 reading company

“We learned today our motion to stay the K-3 reading assessment contract award to Istation has been granted by the NC Department of Information Technology," Amplify CEO Larry Berger said in a statement. "This decision means that Istation must halt its implementation while the proceeding is pending with DIT. We look forward to working with the NC Department of Public Instruction and DIT to ensure that all educators in the state have the critical opportunity to understand their students’ reading development at the beginning of the school year, just as they have in the past."

WRAL News has reached out to the state superintendent's office, Istation and DIT for comment. Tuesday night, State Superintendent Mark Johnson released this statement:

“Istation is the best reading diagnostic tool for teachers, students, and parents. There were problems with the procurement process, but the final decision was fair, objective, and followed all rules, policies, and laws. This has been clearly detailed in a public letter.

"I am disappointed in this stay as it sows unnecessary confusion for our educators just as the school year starts but am confident that the decision the State Board and I made in support of a positive change will stand.”

Senate Democrats call for legislative review of DPI's Istation pick

After the state superintendent denied the appeal, Amplify filed a Request for Administrative Hearing with DIT.

Teachers across the state are already training on the new Istation assessment ​software. The State Board of Education delayed data collection until next year to give teachers more time to get comfortable with the new technology.

88 superintendents ask NC schools' chief to delay new reading test amid controversy