eNews Archive

October 17, 2006

Dear eNews Subscriber,

Plano ISD's state rating has been confirmed as "Recognized" by the Texas
Education Agency (TEA), following the agency's review of Plano ISD's appeal
regarding one school's student drop out rate. The drop out rate had been
reported incorrectly, requiring the appeal.

In early August, 2006, TEA issued ratings for all Texas schools and school
districts under the Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS). TEA issued
ratings based upon the lowest value of any one of several indicators.

At that time, Plano ISD's rating was reported as "Academically Acceptable"
based upon the drop out rate reported by one middle school campus. The drop
out rate at that middle school had been reported incorrectly due to a
clerical error. Plano ISD appealed the school's rating and that of the
district to TEA.

Following TEA review of Plano ISD's appeal, Texas Education Commissioner
Shirley Neeley wrote to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto on October
6, 2006, stating:

"...After careful agency review, your appeal is granted and the rating for
Carpenter Middle School is changed from Academically Unacceptable to
Academically Acceptable. Because the Academically Unacceptable rating for
Carpenter was the only reason that your district was prevented from earning
a Recognized rating, granting this appeal also results in the district
rating for Plano ISD changing from Academically Acceptable to Recognized..."

"After the completion of the appeals review process, the agency will issue
listings of final ratings and update the 2006 ratings information on its
website in October. However, you may certainly publicize this decision
within your community prior to that update."