Consistent with the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grant and GS 115C-83.1E passed in the previous legislative session, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) Office of Early Learning (OEL) is required to develop and implement a kindergarten through third grade formative assessment which will include a kindergarten entry assessment process. This assessment will be used in grades K-3 across North Carolina. Implementation must begin in the fall of 2014. In order to ensure that this assessment is developed within the timelines stipulated in both the grant and state legislation, and in a manner consistent with research related to formative assessment and implementation science, it is necessary to acquire expertise to assist the OEL with the planning, development, and implementation processes.