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
Instructional Resources Addendum
Everway/News2You (N2Y)
News-2-You and Unique Learning System are designed to provide flexible access to instructional
content for students with significant cognitive disabilities. During the reporting period (August 1,
2025–April 30, 2026), 646 students associated with News-2-You and 597 students associated with
Unique Learning System.
Teachers may utilize materials through paper-and-pencil activities, interactive lessons on the
Promethean Board, whole-group instruction, small-group activities, or digital access when
appropriate. As reflected in usage patterns, student logins do not fully capture instructional
implementation. On average, approximately 9 students accessed News-2-You and 10 students
accessed Unique Learning System per day, while a significant number of students (457 for News-2-
You and 375 for Unique Learning System) did not log in independently during the reporting period.
Student login practices vary based on individual needs and classroom resources. Due to the unique
nature of students’ disabilities, many students are unable to independently access or manage
usernames and passwords. As a result, these platforms are frequently used as shared instructional
tools led by teachers rather than as independent student logins.
Both programs serve as instructional resources during whole-group and small-group lessons, with
teachers facilitating access to ensure meaningful participation. Unique Learning System is also used
as a secondary resource to support individualized instruction, standards-based lessons, and targeted
skill development. Teachers implement the access method that best aligns with students’
instructional and accessibility needs.