Agenda Item
a. English Learners Program Evaluation and Master Planning (Not to exceed $183,136.97)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the award for RFP 24-589 for the English Learners Program Evaluation and Master Planning to RMC Research Corporation as the most responsive and responsible bidder to perform a comprehensive program evaluation, and master development of the DCSD English Learners Department for an amount not to exceed $183,136.97.
Why: The desired outcome for this program evaluation and master planning is to provide the school district with an evaluation of and recommendations for improving the academic and developmental outcomes and experiences for our English learners, and in how we partner with their families. The recommendations and master planning are expected to address any aspects of academic programming and operations of the school district that enhance and/or hinders their implementation.
It is the expectation of the program evaluation and master-planning process to gather information about our English Learner Department and ESOL services, systems of support for English learners and families, for ensuring their equitable access to high quality instruction at all schools, and timely and effective communication. The evaluation should include analysis of, including but not limited to: tier one curriculum and instructional practices, service models, assessment practices, reclassification practices, interpretation and translation access and efficacy, school-to-home communication practices, professional development needs, resource allocation relative to state and national standards to serve the learning and language development needs of our English learners receiving ESOL services. Additionally, we are seeking to evaluate the vertical and horizontal articulation of language development instructional practices in grades K-12 for our English learners receiving ESOL services.
Components of the English Learners Department evaluation and master planning must include, but are not limited to:
Evidence of alignment to state and national (WIDA) English Language Development standards.
Evidence of language development that impacts the teaching and learning of content standards across the curriculum and assessments.
A review of the district organization chart and job descriptions to maximize direction and support for impacting change to deliver better instruction for English learners.
Evidence of consistency and fidelity in the implementation of ESOL service models district wide.
Evidence of technology integration across K-12 ESOL services.
Evidence of curriculum and assessment materials that reflect the diverse language development needs of our student population.
A review of the policies and controls that govern the multi-level English Learners department and ESOL services.
A review of the DCSD budgets to support the review, revision, and implementation of ESOL Curriculum, and ESOL services including identification, screening, assessment, reclassification and exit processes.
Details: In accordance with the formal procurement procedures published by the Georgia Department of Education, the Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued May 23, 2024. Electronic notification was sent to 195 vendors from the DCSD vendor list, 2,638 vendors through the State of Georgia Procurement Registry (GPR), and 687 vendors through IonWave, the DeKalb County School District’s solicitation portal. The solicitation was advertised in the Champion Newspaper for two (2) consecutive weeks beginning May 23, 2024. Four (4) proposals were received on June 25, 2024, for the English Learners Program Evaluation and Master's Planning. Three (3) proposals were deemed responsive and evaluated on the following criteria: Firm’s Overview, Scope of Services, Firm’s Relevant Experience and Expertise, Professional References, and Cost of Services. The firm’s profile including ownership structure, history, and organization chart; scope of services including methodology and strategies; relevant experiences in comparable K-12 school districts; and three written references.
Financial impact: The financial impact to the general funds for school year 2024-2025 will not exceed the amount $183,136.97.
Division of Student Services Charge Code:
100.2300.530000.00011.8740.9990.8010.094.0000
Contact: Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Chief of Student Services,, Division of Student Services, 678-676-1079
Dr. Evelyn Hall, Executive Director, English Learners Program/Title III and DeKalb International Screening Center, Division of Student Services, 678-676-6602
Effective: August 19, 2024 - August 18, 2025
Status: Solicitation Reviewed and Approved by General Counsel
June 12, 2024
TO: ALL OFFERORS UNDER INVITATION TO BID
RFP 24-589 English Learners Program Evaluation & Master
Planning
FROM: Procurement Department, DeKalb County School District
ADDENDUM NO. 1
RFP 24-589 English Learners Program Evaluation & Master Planning
is hereby amended as follows:
1. This addendum was created to provide responses to Q&A via IonWave.
2. All other conditions remain in full force and effect.
3. All offerors under this solicitation are kindly requested to acknowledge
receipt of this Addendum No. 1 by signing the page below and uploading
with your bid.
__________________________________________
COMPANY NAME/CERTIFYING OFFICIAL SIGNATURE
Q & A Response
The purpose of this document is to provide answers to vendor questions. Please
see Questions and Answers included herein.
Solicitation Title:
English Learners Program Evaluation & Master
Planning
Solicitation Number: RFP 24-589
Requesting Department: School & Leadership Date: June 12, 2024
Buyer: Sierra M. Adams RFX Initially Posted to Internet: May 23, 2024
Email Address:
solicitationquestions@dekalbschoolsga.org Telephone: (678) 676-0532
RESPONSES MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT:
DEADLINE TIME - Before 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June 25, 2024
VIRTUAL PUBLIC BID OPENING - At 3:00 PM, Tuesday, June 25, 2024
RESPONSES TO BE OPENED: Beginning 3:00 PM EST, Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Via Microsoft Teams
DeKalb County School District
Purchasing Department
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Referenced
# Questions RFX Section Answers
Are you considering using multiple It is preferrable to have the same vendor
vendors for this? For example, would which allows for consistency in quality,
you consider using a vendor for service and deliverables across the entire
evaluating the program and another project. This will ensure a cohesive outcome.
vendor for classroom walk throughs?
1. Thank you!
Does the district have a specific budget Yes
for this project?
2.
What are the primary languages spoken The district top 15 primary languages are:
by EL students in the district? Spanish, Amharic, Swahili, Burmese, Arabic,
Dari, Pashto/Pashtu, Karen, Bengali, Nepali,
3. French, Somali, Hindi, Vietnamese, Tigrinya.
Referenced
# Questions RFX Section Answers
Will classroom observations be part of Yes, approximately 30-40 observations.
Phase 1? If so, how many classroom
4. observations does the district envision?
Is there an expectation to interview There is no expectation to interview students
students? If so, will we be required to during this phase of the project.
5. submit IRB?
Is there a page limit to the technical There no page limits.
proposal?
6.
Will the district provide de-identified Yes, the district will provide student data
administrative student data? data set of upon Board Approval for the potential
assessment outcomes (i.e., MAP, awardee.
7. milestones, ACCESS for ELLs)