Agenda Item
b. Exceptional Education Instructional Resources (Not to Exceed $1,100,000)
Summary: Presented by: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve Goalbook, Everway/News2You, and Stages Learning. These vendors have been identified to provide supplemental instructional resources for teachers and students supported through the Division of Student Services, for more than $100,000 per vendor but not to exceed a total contracted amount of $­­1,100,000.
Division of Student Services Instructional Resources
Dept. of Exceptional Education
Goalbook
Everway/News2You
Stages Learning
Why: 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.
The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is seeking to purchase supplemental instructional resources, to advance the mission, vision, and values by (a) improving access to meaningful content, (b) increasing awareness of sound instructional practices, (c) providing technological assets that promote creativity, connections, and innovation, and (d) engaging students in rigorous activities/assessments.
Details: Three (3) vendors have been carefully vetted and identified to ensure the selected instructional resources provide the equity and access to support the full and rigorous implementation of the DCSD curriculum at all grade levels among the school district’s diverse student population. The three (3) selected vendors are: Goalbook, Everway/News2You, and Stages Learning.
Financial impact: The total contract amount will not exceed $1,100,000.
Charge codes:
Exceptional Education
Goalbook
100.2100.553200.00011.7340.2021.8010.094.0000 or 404.2100.553200.05021.7340.2824.8010.094.2027
Everway/News2You
100.1000.553200.00011.7340.2021.8010.094.0000
Stages Learning
100.1000.553200.00011.7340.2021.8010.094.0000
Contact: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services, 678.676.1809
Dr. Erin Broyard-Baptiste, Interim Executive Director, Exceptional Education, Division of Student Services,678.676.1814
Effective: July 2026 - July 2027
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
CHRONOLOGY OF THE AGENDA ITEM
Instructional Resources
Scope
The Department of Exceptional Education requests Board of Education approval to purchase supplemental
instructional resources in an amount not to exceed $1,100,000.00. This initiative aligns with Board Policy DJE
(III.D.3.g) and is intended to enhance the academic achievement of students with disabilities within the DeKalb
County School District, as supported by the Division of Student Services.
For the 2026-2027 school year, the department may acquire research-based supplemental instructional resources
and materials from approved vendors. Some of these purchases may individually exceed $100,000, ensuring that
the department can secure high-quality resources necessary to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities
and comply with district and federal requirements.
Contract/Lease Terms
Contracts will be effective from July 2026, through July 2027. The contract period will begin upon Board approval
and execution of the contract.
All contracts will be initiated only after receiving Board approval and completion of the required contractual
agreements.
Background
The Department of Exceptional Education is seeking Board approval for the purchase of supplemental instructional
resources. This request reflects a shift from prior years, when such purchases were consolidated under the
Curriculum and Instruction Division for Board approval. With the establishment of the Division of Student Services
by Superintendent Horton, the Department of Exceptional Education now operates within this division and is
submitting its resource request independently.
The selected instructional resources have been carefully reviewed for their alignment to evidence-based practices,
their ability to increase access to grade-level curriculum, and their effectiveness in supporting specially designed
instruction (SDI). These materials are intended to address the diverse learning needs of students with disabilities
across the DeKalb County School District and to ensure the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE)
in accordance with IDEA.
All recommended resources are research-based and designed to support improved student outcomes through
targeted interventions, progress monitoring, and differentiated instruction. Funding for these resources will be
supported through a combination of federal IDEA funds and general funds, as applicable. Approval of this request
will allow the district to strengthen instructional support, maintain compliance with federal and state
requirements, and continue advancing academic outcomes for students with disabilities.
Financial Chronology
Year Cost
2025-2026 Department of Exceptional Education request of $1,100,000.00
2026-2027 Department of Exceptional Education request of $1,100,000.00
Exceptional Education- Instructional Materials and Resources 2026-2027
Grade Content Amount
Department Vendor Notes
Level(s) Area (SY26-27)
Goalbook Toolkit is an online platform that
supports special education teachers in
developing high-quality, standards-aligned
IEPs.
The platform provides standards-based goal
IEP Goals
banks, instructional strategies aligned to
Exceptional Grades and
Goalbook Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and $716, 900.63
Education Pk-12 Progress
guided tools to support accurate
Monitoring
development of students’ IEPs,
strengthens IEP compliance, instructional
planning, and differentiation, improving
access to rigorous, standards-based
instruction for all students.
Everway is an integrated instructional
program that combines News2you, and the
Unique Learning System (ULS) to support
high-quality, standards-based instruction for
Extended students with disabilities.
Exceptional Everway/News2Y Grades
Content Everway delivers accessible, differentiated $220, 107.68
Education ou 1-12
Standards curriculum and current events
content through symbol-supported texts,
interactive activities, and classroom resources
that build literacy, communication, and real-
world connections for diverse learners.
Stages Learning (ARIS Platform) is an
evidence-based special education program
designed to support students with autism,
language delays, and developmental needs by
building foundational academic, language,
social, and functional skills.
The program provides a comprehensive,
Communic
structured curriculum that integrates
Exceptional Grades ation and
Stages Learning assessment, IEP goal development, $153, 252.75
Education Pk-K Developme
individualized lesson planning, behavior
ntal Needs
supports, and progress monitoring within a
single system.
Stages Learning also includes hands-on and
digital instructional resources (e.g., visual
supports, language-building materials) to
support personalized learning for diverse
learners in school, clinical, and home settings.
Total $ 1,090,261.06