5. QUOTE 111350_DCSD_Comprehensive PL Sessions

AID 1831399 · View on Simbli

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
QUOTE DATE: May 12, 2025
                                                                 QUOTE FORM

Company Information

 Company Name             95 Percent Group                                  Quote Number       Q-111350
 Address                  475 Half Day Road, Suite 350                      Created Date       May 12, 2025
                          Lincolnshire, IL 60069
 Prepared By              Marina Strassburger                               Expiration Date    July 31, 2025
 Title                    Sales Support Specialist                          Delivery Type      Upfront
 Telephone                (847) 499-8210
 Email                    mstrassburger@95percentgroup.com

Customer Information

 Account Name             Dekalb County SD - District Office
 Address                  1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd
                          Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
 Contact Name             Lawanzer Smith
 Contact Title
 Contact Telephone
 Contact Email            lawanzer_r_smith@dekalbschoolsga.org

Invoice / Billing Information

 Bill to Name             Dekalb County SD - District Office                Bill to Address      1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd
                                                                                                 Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083

QUOTE SUMMARY

                                   DeKalb County Public Schools - Professional Learning

 Site Shipping Information:
 Dekalb County SD - District Office
 Lawanzer Smith
 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd
 Stone Mountain, GA 30083


           Product Name               Product Item #           List Price        Discount     Unit Price       Qty            Net Total
   95 Phonics Core Program -
    Grade K -Comprehensive,             PDV26013               $3,485.00          $348.50     $3,136.50          7           $21,955.50
          Virtual 6 hrs
   95 Phonics Core Program -
   Grade 1/2 -Comprehensive,            PDV26015               $3,485.00          $348.50     $3,136.50         14           $43,911.00
          Virtual 6 hrs
   95 Phonics Core Program -
    Grade 3 -Comprehensive,             PDV26014               $3,485.00          $348.50     $3,136.50          7           $21,955.50
          Virtual 6 hrs
   95 Phonics Core Program -
   Grade 4/5 -Comprehensive,            PDV26016               $3,485.00          $348.50     $3,136.50         14           $43,911.00
          Virtual 6 hrs
                                                                                                           Sub Total         $131,733.00

                                                                      Total Before Discounts :                       $146,370.00
                                                                                    Discount :                        $14,637.00
                                                                                   Net Total :                       $131,733.00
                                                Shipping & Handling (10% of printed product) :                          $0.00
                                                                                         Tax :                          $0.00
                                                                                 Grand Total :                       $131,733.00
 Notes: K-5 Virtual Product Training (6 Hour Comprehensive Course)




Limited 30 day return/replacement policy: All product returns require prior approval. Please contact orders@95percentgroup.com to receive
authorization. 15% restocking fee on all printed Phonics Lesson Library products. 10% on all other printed products. NO returns on opened
shrink wrapped product. Damaged materials (stamped, written on, damaged from usage by client) will not be accepted. All sales are final for 95
Phonics Booster Bundle: Summer School Edition. NO refunds, exchanges or returns.
                                         95 Percent Group Terms and Conditions


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                                     95 Percent Group Terms and Conditions


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                                   95 Percent Group Terms and Conditions


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