MDE Early Childhood Modules

Solicitation No.

2000018178

Type / RFx

RFP

Status

Posted

Level

state

Published Date

—

Due Date

May 1, 2026

NAICS Code

611710AI guide

Jurisdiction

minnesota

State

minnesota

Agency

Education Department

The Minnesota Department of Education (“MDE”) Early Education Division is soliciting proposals from qualified responders to develop a statewide scalable and sustainable asynchronous professional development opportunity by creating a series of online learning modules for a variety of early childhood education professionals working in public school districts and charters in Minnesota. For this Request for Proposal (“RFP”), early childhood education is referring to professionals working with children from birth through kindergarten transition. To continue to meet identified needs and grow a catalog of professional development offerings, MDE is conducting this RFP for a series of asynchronous, self-paced, interactive professional development learning modules to be created and housed within MDE’s learning management system called Canvas. MDE anticipates a minimum of six (6) individual modules will need to be created. These modules should specifically target professionals in leadership roles supporting school-based early childhood education settings, including both general and special education, to increase their capacity to build and sustain high-quality early childhood programs throughout Minnesota. Module series details: These self-paced interactive Modules will focus on the topics below: 1. One (1) Module on each of the five (5) Minnesota Multi-Tiered System of Supports (“MnMTSS”) components listed below. These Modules should be focused on building a foundational understanding of each of the five (5) components of MnMTSS and their relationship to and specific considerations for building and sustaining high-quality early childhood and early childhood special education programs. This Module series will be accessed by Minnesota early childhood general and special education public school district and charter school leaders after completing their program systems reflection tool (noted as the Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education Program Systems Reflection Tool under item 1 in the Companion Documents section below) as a way of learning more about the component(s) to develop goals to assist with continuous program improvement. -Component 1: Infrastructure for Continuous Improvement -Component 2: Family and Community Engagement -Component 3: Multi-Layered Practices and Support -Component 4: Assessment -Component 5: Data-Based Decision Making 2. One (1) Module to develop early childhood and early childhood special education leaders’ understanding of the frameworks of improvement science (including the Plan, Do, Study, Act cycle) and implementation science as a way of setting up systems to build and sustain high-quality early childhood programs. As a part of this Module, the responder will create an Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education Program Systems Reflection Tool to be used by leaders to identify program strengths and areas for improvement, see item 1 under Companion Documents section below for more information. 3. One (1) summative Module (or embedded in the Modules under #1 and #2 above) that provides strategies for using various sources of early childhood and early childhood special education data presented from this Module series to engage in outcome-oriented decision making to advocate for changes (e.g. with local School Board, other district leadership, etc.) to enhance program quality. Each created Module should be self-paced, interactive, and asynchronous, incorporating adult learning strategies. Each Module should be aligned with the early childhood educator standards and competencies. Each Module will include the content of the topic(s) covered, discussion questions, supplemental resources, and embedded interactive and reflective activities that utilize adult learning strategies and foster engagement with the material. Each Module will become part of the professional development Empowering Early Childhood Leaders Course for early childhood leaders. Each Module will also include a set of PowerPoint facilitation guides with slideshow presentations with separate but parallel interactive activities and reflection questions that could be used regionally or statewide with early childhood leaders during Communities of Practice (“CoPs”) and/or Professional Learning Communities (“PLCs”) to deepen understanding and foster engagement with Module content. Pilot testers comprised of a diverse group of current and former leaders from both public schools and charter schools in Minnesota should provide review and input on the Modules. Comprehensive Overview/Homepage details: In addition, a comprehensive overview/homepage will be developed for the Empowering Early Childhood Leaders Course. The Empowering Early Childhood Leaders Course includes the Module series developed under this RFP plus one (1) Module, being developed under a separate contract, that focuses on three (3) topics: Early Childhood History and Policy (Federal and State), Early Childhood Special Education History and Policy (Federal and State) and Disability Justice and Ableism (hereinafter referred to as “Early Childhood History and Policy Module”). The overview/homepage being created as a part of this RFP will be developed with all Modules for the Empowering Early Childhood Leaders Course in mind to engage learners and explain the overall Course outcomes. Companion Documents details: In addition, two (2) companion documents that are aligned to this Module series will be developed as outlined below: 1.An Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education Program Systems Reflection Tool to be used by leaders to identify program strengths and opportunities for improvement. This companion document will be completed by leaders as part of the Module on understanding the frameworks of improvement and implementation science. Responder will create this tool using the following two (2) established tools as the foundation: a. Self-Evaluation for MnMTSS Implementation – School Leadership Team (“SEMI-SLT”), which is grounded in the MnMTSS framework; and b. INSPIRE ACTION framework [a Minnesota needs assessment with indicators specific to early intervention (Part C) and early childhood special education (Part B/619)]. 2. A companion document to the Self-Evaluation for MnMTSS Implementation – District Leadership Team (“SEMI-DLT”) to include specific considerations for early childhood programs. The SEMI-DLT is a current self-assessment done by many schools in Minnesota, grounded in the MnMTSS framework. These documents will be housed within Canvas and will become part of the professional development Empowering Early Childhood Leaders Course for early childhood leaders. Pilot testers comprised of a diverse group of current and former leaders from both public schools and charter schools in Minnesota should provide review and input on the companion documents. All created products must follow the federal and state accessibility requirements. MDE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING PROPOSALS OUTSIDE OF SWIFT. RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED IN THE eSUPPLIER PORTAL OF SWIFT. YOUR BID IS NOT SUBMITTED UNTIL YOU SELECT THE "SUBMIT BID" BUTTON. RESPONDERS SHOULD CONTACT THE SWIFT HELP DESK AT 651-201-8100 OPTION #1 FOR ASSISTANCE WITH SWIFT.

1. May 1, 2026Responses Due