Agenda Item
a. Adoption and Purchase of 95 Phonics Core Program from 95 Percent Group LLC (Not to exceed $3,000,000)
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the purchase of the 95 Phonics Core Program from 95 Percent Group to supplement existing English language arts instruction in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000. This standalone phonics program will support foundational reading skills development in kindergarten through fifth grade by strengthening direct instruction and practice of foundational skills aligned to structured literacy.
Why: The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) administers the Northwest Evaluation Association Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) three times per year. The 2025 spring MAP Fluency data results in the areas of phonics and word recognition are as follows:
Phonics and Word Recognition
Grade
Below Expectation
Approaching Expectation
Meets Expectation
Exceeds Expectation
Kindergarten
27%
16%
25%
32%
First
52%
46%
2%
0%
Second
96%
0%
4%
0%
Third
95%
0%
5%
0%
The District is seeking to adopt and purchase a phonics supplemental resource to support teaching and learning. The phonics supplemental resource will provide access to evidence-based resources, increase support of sound instructional practices, and engage students in explicit, systematic, cumulative, and diagnostic phonics instruction.
According to Board Policy IFA-Instructional Materials and Content, the District must provide access to instructional resources including, but not limited to, textbooks and supplemental materials. Board Policy IFA requires the presentation of recommendations for adoption to the Board of Education.
Details: Per the Georgia Early Literacy Act (House Bill 538), local school districts may purchase supplemental resources using the High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Rubric. The HQIM Rubric includes the following components that must be considered when selecting supplemental materials to ensure alignment to foundational reading skills and science of reading:
Research Alignment
Explicit, Systematic, Cumulative, and Diagnostic Instruction
Related Elements (alignment to Georgia’s ELA standards and assessments)
Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
Phonics and Word Study
Text Reading and Fluency
Vocabulary
Listening comprehension and Reading Comprehension
The selection of the 95 Phonics Core Program followed a rigorous two-round review process:
Round 1 (March 24, 2025): Four vendors presented their phonics programs in person. A total of 27 participants attended, including classroom teachers, academic coaches, and central office coordinators, directors, assistant superintendents, and chiefs. Participants provided structured feedback and posed questions regarding instructional design, alignment with curriculum, and support for differentiated instruction of each resource.
Round 2 (May 1, 2025): Vendors addressed specific questions that arose in Round 1.
In accordance with Board Policy DJE (III.D.3.g.1-2), qualified personnel evaluated the four vendors using the components of the HQIM Rubric and selected 95 Phonics Core Program based on sound pedagogical judgment and in the best interest of the school district.
Financial impact: The total contract amount will not exceed $3,000,000.
100-1000-553200-00011-7580-9990-8010-035-0000
Communication-Web Subscription
100-2210-561000-00011-7580-9990-8010-035-0000
Supplies
100-1000-564000-00011-7580-9990-8010-035-0000
Digital/Electronic Textbooks
100-1000-564100-00011-7580-9990-8010-035-0000
Textbooks - Printed
100-1000-564200-00011-7580-9990-8010-035-0000
Books (Other)
100-2220-530000-00011-7580-9990-8010-035-0000
Purchased Professional/Technical Services
Contact: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-0731
Dr. Sean R. Tartt, Deputy Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-0731
Dr. Penny Mosley, Assistant Superintendent K-5 Curriculum & Instruction, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-0137
Dr. Lynn Angus Ramos, Director, Literacy, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-0136
Mrs. Lummie Baker, Director, Educational Media and Instructional Materials, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-2421
Effective: July 15, 2025- June 30, 2026
Status: Approved by Office of Legal Affairs
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