Agenda Item
a. Pre-K and Early Learning-Waterford Supplemental Instructional Resource (Not to Exceed $130,000)
Summary: Presented by: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb Board of Education approve the purchase of Waterford as a supplemental instructional resource for an amount not to exceed $130,000. Funding for this purchase will be provided through the Bright From the Start Pre-K4 Grant and general funds.
Why: The Waterford early learning instructional resource is a diagnostic, adaptive program for Pre-K scholars that has a strategic focus on the development of early literacy and numeracy skills, aligned to the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS). The program's systematic and explicit approach to learning supports a gradual release model with targeted support for remediation and acceleration, aligned to each student's individual learning pathway, and is grounded in research-based instructional practices.
Details: The DeKalb County School District, as a Local Educational Agency (LEA) receiving Bright From the Start (Pre-K4) grant funds, has an obligation to continue to enhance the instructional offering of its Pre-K scholars in the areas of early literacy and numeracy, consistent with the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS). The Waterford instructional resource provides explicit, standards-aligned instruction that supports the individualized learning pathway of each Pre-K (3&4) student within the classroom and at home.
The Waterford platform is used by all Pre-K (3&4) students, teachers, and paraprofessionals in DCSD Pre-K classrooms districtwide, currently serving more than 2,900 students. The recommended usage is 15 minutes per day, 75 minutes per week, and 300 minutes per month. The platform also includes a family engagement component that provides families with access to student progress monitoring, at-home learning resources, and family newsletters available in English and Spanish.
The Waterford platform was implemented across all Pre-K (3&4) classrooms districtwide during the 2025-2026 school year. District survey results indicated that 55 of 81 responding teachers (68 percent) found the platform very or somewhat effective in supporting reading and math instruction, and 161 of 184 responding parents (88 percent) indicated they see value in their child using the platform daily.
Financial impact: Waterford Instructional Supplemental Resource (licenses): $116,000
Professional Learning: $13,200
Grant Fund Charge Codes:
560.2300.553200.17821.7481.1540.8010.094.2027
560.2300.530000.17821.7481.1540.8010.094.2027
General Fund Charge Codes:
100.2300.553200.00011.8740.9990.8010.094.0000
100.2300.530000.00011.8740.9990.8010.094.0000
Contact: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services, 678.676.1200
Dr. Zack Phillips, Executive Director of Early Learning and Pre-K Programs, Division of Student Services, 678.676.1200
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
January 2026
Re: Sole Source
Waterford’s Curriculum Solutions are sole source products. The Waterford Curriculum Solutions include:
• Waterford Early Learning • WACS™
• Waterford Professional Learning • Waterford Family
• Family Academy/Engagement
Our discernibly distinguishable online learning program provides lessons with assigned difficulty levels, mastery
thresholds, and remediation settings uniquely developed by Waterford’s curriculum designers, programmers, and
technologists. The unique sequencer uses these values to create adaptive and individualized learning paths for
students.
Developmental and programming secret processes include:
• Uniquely developed sequencer algorithms
• Waterford Manager
• Rusty and Rosy (proprietary icon for Waterford)
Additionally, Waterford’s products are produced, sold, and distributed exclusively by Waterford Research Institute.
Waterford is the holder of associated copyrights/trademarks.
Sincerely,
Jorge Fernandez, Chief Financial Officer
Printed Name/Title
4246 S Riverboat Rd STE 150, Taylorsville, UT 84123 | 801.349.2200 | Waterford.org