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 15, 2025
QUOTE FORM
Company Information
Company Name 95 Percent Group Quote Number Q-109052
Address 475 Half Day Road, Suite 350 Created Date May 15, 2025
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Prepared By Donna McConnell Expiration Date July 31, 2025
Title Regional Account Executive Delivery Type Upfront
Telephone (847) 558-2574
Email dmcconnell@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 School District-District Bill to Address 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd
Office Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
QUOTE SUMMARY
Solution Resources List Price Discount Net Total
*Detailed product descriptions of our Tiered Solutions are located at the
bottom of the quote.
95 Percent Group Tier 1 Phonics Solution Year 1 - DeKalb County Schools $2,613,838.00 $261,383.80 $2,352,454.20
Total Schools: 80
$259,200.00
$28 $28,
8,00 800.
0.00 00
Classroom Kindergarten Quantity: 348
$342,954.00
$38 $38,
1,06 106.
0.00 00
Classroom Grade 1 Quantity: 329
$355,023.90
$39 $39,
4,47 447.
1.00 10
Classroom Grade 2 Quantity: 340
$366,894.00
$40 $40,
7,66 766.
0.00 00
Classroom Grade 3 Quantity: 344
$371,210.40
$41 $41,
2,45 245.
6.00 60
Classroom Grade 4 Quantity: 300
$323,730.00
$35 $35,
9,70 970.
0.00 00
Classroom Grade 5 Quantity: 309
$333,441.90
$37 $37,
0,49 049.
1.00 10
DeKalb County Schools - Products
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-Student Manipulative
PH4000.03 $41.00 $4.10 $36.90 78 $2,878.20
Kit for 5 Students
07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026
95 Phonics Core Program,
Grade K-Student Workbook Set
PH4000.05 $79.00 $7.90 $71.10 78 $5,545.80
for 5 Students
07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026
95 Phonics Core Program,
Grade 1-Student Manipulative
PH4001.03 $41.00 $4.10 $36.90 197 $7,269.30
Kit for 5 Students
07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026
95 Phonics Core Program,
Grade 1-Student Workbook Set
PH4001.05 $99.00 $9.90 $89.10 197 $17,552.70
for 5 Students
07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026
95 Phonics Core Program,
Grade 2-Student Manipulative
PH4002.03 $41.00 $4.10 $36.90 211 $7,785.90
Kit for 5 Students
07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026
95 Phonics Core Program,
Grade 2-Student Workbook Set
PH4002.05 $99.00 $9.90 $89.10 211 $18,800.10
for 5 Students
07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026
95 Phonics Core Program,
Grade 3-Student Manipulative
PH4003.03 $51.00 $5.10 $45.90 212 $9,730.80
Kit for 5 Students
07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026
95 Phonics Core Program,
Grade 3-Student Workbook Set
PH4003.05 $99.00 $9.90 $89.10 212 $18,889.20
for 5 Students
07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026
95 Phonics Core Program,
Grade 4-Student Manipulative
PH4004.03 $51.00 $5.10 $45.90 284 $13,035.60
Kit for 5 Students
07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026
95 Phonics Core Program,
Grade 4-Student Workbook Set
PH4004.05 $99.00 $9.90 $89.10 284 $25,304.40
for 5 Students
07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026
95 Phonics Core Program,
Grade 5-Student Manipulative
PH4005.03 $51.00 $5.10 $45.90 311 $14,274.90
Kit for 5 Students
07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026
95 Phonics Core Program,
Grade 5-Student Workbook Set
PH4005.05 $99.00 $9.90 $89.10 311 $27,710.10
for 5 Students
07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026
SHIP $251,336.80 $0.00 $251,336.80 1 $251,336.80
Sub Total $420,113.80
Total Before Discounts : $2,801,368.00
Discount : $280,136.80
Net Total : $2,521,231.20
Shipping & Handling (10% of printed product) : $251,336.80
Tax : $0.00
Grand Total : $2,772,568.00
Notes: Quote for Core Instructional Materials + Sortegories
Solution Description
95 Percent Group Tier 1 Phonics Solution
Digital Sortegories School License includes 3 levels of Student Activities covering phonics, vocabulary, and syntax practice. Teacher access
includes the ability to demonstrate and assign activities as well as student progress-tracking resources, and supporting training videos and
user guides. One year subscription valid July 1- June 30.
95 Phonics Core Program Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2. Classroom Kits include: Teacher’s Editions, Student Workbooks and Manipulative
Sets for 20 students, Sound- Spelling Cards, assessments and a subscription to Digital Presentation Files (included first year)
95 Phonics Core Program Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 5. Classroom Kits include: Teacher’s Editions, Student Workbooks and Manipulative Sets
for 20 students, classroom poster set, assessments and a subscription to Digital Presentation Files (included first year)
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.