May 18, 2015 11:35 AM

Updated: TEA Announces ETS will carry majority of state $340 million testing contract

ETS picks up STAAR and program integration; Pearson carries TELPAS, alternate exams.

The Texas Education Agency has announced it will split its four-year $340 million assessment contract between Education Testing Service and Pearson.

This would be a second big contract win for ETS in as many months. In April, California decided to remain with ETS as its vendor on its new three-year $240 million assessment contract, despite objections from Pearson.

According to a nine-page memo from top Texas Education Agency staff, the proposed bids from ETS and Pearson were almost identical on the bulk of the standard STAAR assessments, only varying by about $100,000. The agency awarded that portion of the contract to ETS, for a total of $280 million.