The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) is currently accepting proposals for Core Reading resources for grades K–8. All submitted resources must appear on the Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE) approved list of High-Quality Curricular Materials for Core Reading in Grades K–8. Resources will be adopted for use beginning in the 2026-2027 school year through 2032-33 school year. Interested offerors are encouraged to submit a proposal specific to the guidelines listed in this request. MCCSC has an expressed commitment to quality, accuracy & accessibility in the selection of materials, including alignment to the IDOE High-Quality Curricular Materials Advisory List and 2023 Indiana Academic Standards for English/Language Arts.

Please have delivered to the above address ONE (1) COPY of each student text(s), teacher edition(s), and ONE (1) component of each associated material, only in the listed subject area, by the submission deadline. Please provide a digital overview of materials (e.g. video, PowerPoint slides, etc.) and access to preview online digital content. After the initial screening process is completed, additional copies and accompanying materials may be requested from selected publishers.

Central to the needs of the Corporation:

Digital Resources

● Digital resources must include a fully web-based version of the complete text, including interactive and multimedia features appropriate for student use, including home use.
● Digital resources may include supplemental digital materials and enhancements appropriate for collaborative and individual learning environments.
● Digital resources may include online professional development components and additional instructional planning resources for teachers.
● All electronic textbooks, digital components, features, demonstrations, and content must be fully accessible and operational on Apple iOS, MacOS, and Windows 11 platforms. All digital content must be exportable as PDF or locally stored library on a student device, even if temporarily, for offline access.
● All digital resource integration tools should be available and provided to the corporation no later than 30 days following MCCSC School Board of Trustees approval.
● MCCSC requires digital materials and technologies to be accessible to students, employees, and community members with disabilities. Digital materials and technologies should conform to the standards for accessibility set forth in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. § 794d), and its implementing regulations (36 C.F.R. § 1194). The Revised Section 508 incorporates the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) by reference. Web and non-web content (including websites and documents) is required to conform to the most current version of WCAG at level AA in order to meet Section 508 requirements. Beyond Section 508, additional specifications are defined according to the type of material or the delivery format. Please refer to the attached guidance for additional information on those specifications.
● Conformance to the specified standards can be documented through the submission of an up-to-date, complete, and accurate Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). The ACR should be based on the latest version of the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®), which can be obtained from the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) website.
● The ACR’s Remarks and Explanations for each criterion should include an explanation of not only how the criterion is supported but also how that support was validated and tested. For any criterion that is not fully supported, an explanation of the barriers created by the criterion not being supported should also be included. If the criterion does not apply, an explanation should be provided.

● In addition to a current and accurate ACR, priority will be given to product submissions whose conformance is documented through the completion of an independent, third-party audit that does not rely solely on an automated scan but also includes manual testing. If the ACR is completed by a third party and includes verification of manual testing, that ACR can serve as the independent audit.
● Updated documentation, including an assurance of continued compliance, should be provided on an annual basis or whenever a significant product update takes place.
● Resources provide options to upgrade materials and digital versions as current events and technologies change (current events are from multiple perspectives and are culturally inclusive).

Updates and/or Additions to Adopted Materials Throughout the Adoption Period:
● If, as a result of legislation, the Indiana Department of Education should mandate any curricular changes to meet specifiedrequirements, the publisher agrees to meet those demands as part of the adoption agreement with MCCSC and will not affect any previously agreed-upon pricing or professional development plans.

Student Information System Synchronization:
● All digital and non-digital resources requiring rostering or the loading of class lists, teacher lists, and/or course schedules must be compatible with the data housed in Skyward, MCCSC’s Student Information System (SIS). Preference will be given to vendors with direct Skyward APIs or the ability to sync through a vendor-provided roster import tool.

● Proposals should include verification of compliance with OneRoster, Clever rostering, and the EdFi Data Standard. Manual-only rostering options will not be considered viable and sustainable curriculum resources. APIs to our SIS or the use of vendor-provided import tools must be included as part of the base price for adoption and not offered as additional, for-purchase add-on features.

Aligned With Science of Reading Research
● All resources must align to the Science of Reading research and prohibit the use of the three-cueing system.
● All resources must demonstrate systematic, explicit instruction in foundational skills (K–2) and language comprehension (3–8).

● All resources must include rich, grade-level complex texts organized around content-rich topics.

● All resources must use text sets to build vocabulary, background knowledge, and oral language. ● All resources must include instruction in syntax, sentence-level comprehension, and writing about text.

Differentiated Instruction
● Resources must include intervention and enrichment opportunities, support differentiated instruction, and engage learners actively. Students should be able to respond through various modalities, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. All instructional materials and supplemental resources must adhere to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.
● Resources must provide resources for students with disabilities and English Language Learners that are aligned to grade-level content.
● Resources must incorporate opportunities for inquiry and the development and application of critical thinking skills.
● Resources must allow for a multidisciplinary approach.

Standards Alignment
● The resources must incorporate appropriate rigor as outlined by the 2023 Future-Focused Indiana Academic Standards. Please refer to the Indiana Department of Education’s website for the 2023 Indiana Academic Standards.

Culturally Relevant & Sustaining
● Resources must be inclusive in nature (curricular examples, scenarios): sensitive to all cultures, ethnic groups & SES, avoiding biases. Material should represent histories and narratives from multiple perspectives, avoiding stereotypes and generalizations.
● Learning strategies and teaching methods must be culturally relevant.
● Resources must be relevant, current, authentic, offer diverse perspectives, and be culturally sustaining.
● Resources must provide all students with opportunities to see themselves reflected in the resources.

Professional Development
● Submission must include a sample professional development proposal aligned to implementation phases.
● Submission must include specifics on job-embedded support (e.g., coaching tools, PLC resources).

Core Reading K-8

All resource submission vendors must complete this Publisher Information Google Form by August 1, 2025 in order to be viewed and considered for possible adoption by the corporation. Failure to do so will render your submission null and void.

Proposals must be submitted on 8.5” x 11” paper and organized using clearly labeled sections that align to the specifications outlined in this RFP. Each section should be tabbed or labeled for ease of review and must include the following components:

1. Cover Page – Include:
   • Bidder name
   • Curricular subject area (K-8 Core Reading)]
   • Primary contact name, address, phone number, and email address
2. Program Overview – Provide a narrative summary of your program, including:
   • Instructional design philosophy
   • Grade-level scope and sequence
   • Key components of the program (student and teacher editions, assessments, digital tools)
3. Standards Alignment – Include documentation showing alignment to the 2023 Indiana Academic Standards for ELA, including:
   • A completed standards alignment crosswalk
   • Explanation of how the resources address rigor and progression across grade levels
4. Science of Reading & Foundational Skills Alignment – Provide evidence that the resources:
   • Align to the Science of Reading research
   • Do not include or promote the three-cueing system
   • Provides systematic, explicit instruction
5. Digital Resource Overview – Include:
   • Digital access instructions (login/password and navigation video or demo)
   • Summary of digital features and platform capabilities
   • Confirmation of cross-platform compatibility (Apple iOS, MacOS, Windows 11)
   • Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) with VPAT
   • Assurance of offline access options
6. Professional Development Plan – Outline a multi-year PD plan, including:
   • Sample implementation calendar
   • Job-embedded supports (e.g., PLC guides, coaching tools)
   • Delivery methods and frequency
   • Whether costs are included in the base proposal
7. Differentiated Instruction – Describe how the resources support:
   • Intervention and enrichment
   • Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles
   • English Learners and students with disabilities
8. Culturally Relevant & Sustaining Practices – Describe how resources:
   • Include diverse voices, perspectives, and representation
   • Avoid stereotypes and promote inclusion
   • Engage all learners through culturally responsive pedagogy
9. Family and Community Resources – Include:
   • Examples of family-facing resources
   • Language access options
10. Student Information System Compatibility – Confirm compatibility with Skyward and include:
    • Details on rostering options (e.g., OneRoster, Clever, EdFi)
    • Clarify if rostering tools are included or require additional purchase
11. Pricing & Ordering Information – Include:
    • Itemized pricing for student and teacher resources, digital licenses, and optional components
    • Shippig costs to individual school sites
    • Guarantee that pricing is firm through July 2033
    • Signature of an authorized representative
12. Sampling Confirmation – Confirm that:
    • All required samples have been submitted
    • A representative is available for finalist presentations (virtual or in-person)

1. The Bidder shall prepare a proposal that describes the best commodities the offeror desires to make available and the appropriate pricing structure.
2. All pricing must be quoted less any Federal Excise or Sales Taxes from which MCCSC is exempt.
3. All proposals must include shipping charges. Shipments will be made to each school individually.
4. Proposals must be signed by an individual authorized to bind the vendor to a contract.
5. Proposals must be received by the time and date listed on the cover sheet in order to be considered.
6. Proposals received after this time will not be considered.
7. Prices must be guaranteed firm from the due date through March 2026, allowing sufficient time to evaluate submitted resources.
8. All proposals must be for the latest edition or publlication date.

All textbooks and instructional materials submitted for evaluation become the property of the Corporation and will not be returned. Shipping costs related to textbooks and supplementary resources will be the sole responsibility of the Supplier/Publisher. Should your resources be selected as a finalist, you must provide a virtual or in-person presentation of your resources for MCCSC staff, families, and community members. Presentation specifics will be provided to identified publishers. The MCCSC may also request additional materials as part of the review process.

During the course of the adoption process, DO NOT CONTACT OR SAMPLE any Corporation employee or elected official on any matter related to the resources and supplementary materials submitted by your company, except at the request of Mrs. Alexis Harmon on behalf of the MCCSC evaluation committee. For clarification regarding curriculum subject content areas, appropriate submission information, or other questions pertaining to this RFP, please email instruction@mccsc.edu. Technical inquiries may be directed to the MCCSC Director of Technology, Mr. Andy Koop, at ajkoop@mccsc.edu