Local Innovation Plan

Plano ISD’s comprehensive educational program is guided by the Board of Trustees’ vision, mission, core beliefs and strategic plan pillars.

Vision Statement

Committed to Excellence ● Dedicated to Caring ● Powered by Learning ● Plano ISD Proud

Mission Statement

Our Plano ISD learning community will educate, inspire and empower every student to activate their unique potential in a dynamic world.

Core Beliefs

• ALL students are at the heart of our decisions.
• High expectations lead to growth and achievement for each student and staff member.
• Graduates must possess the skills and knowledge that prepare them to become responsible citizens and successful leaders.
• All students will utilize social, emotional and academic skills in order to become resilient and resourceful lifelong learners.
• The highest levels of learning occur when students are engaged in work that is relevant, authentic and challenging.
• Equity and access to equal opportunities are essential to reaching the highest levels of student achievement.
• As good stewards, we provide access to resources that enable each student to reach his/her aspirations.
• Our diverse, innovative and future-focused employees are the most valuable resource vital to the growth, care and success of each student.
• We embrace families, staff, students and our community in the shared responsibility of educating our children.
• Developing meaningful, collaborative relationships in a welcoming, safe and caring environment is essential for student success.
• Quality public education is the foundation of a thriving community.

Pillar 1: Teaching & Learning

All Plano ISD students will be challenged to make appropriate individual growth through high quality programming and instruction that is relevant, engaging and differentiated to meet students’ learning needs.

Pillar 2: Life Ready

All Plano ISD students will have access to programs and experiences that will build a future-ready workforce and successfully bridge students to their chosen pathways.

Pillar 3: Talent Acquisition, Support & Growth

The care, development and support of our Plano ISD staff are the foundation of our ability to recruit, hire and retain the necessary talent to provide a caring, nurturing yet rigorous environment for all students. 

Pillar 4: Safety, Wellness & Community Engagement

All Plano ISD facilities will provide a safe and welcoming environment for students, staff and families to experience a sense of belonging.

Pillar 5: Partnerships & Strategic Resource Management

Plano ISD will maximize resources and community partnerships to achieve district goals that meet the needs of students and staff.

To achieve Plano ISD’s vision and mission and to align the District’s practices and operations with the District’s core beliefs and strategic plan goals, the district needs to have the flexibility to exert local control to:

• Promote innovative learning and teaching practices.
• Promote innovative ideas regarding campus governance, community participation and family involvement.
• Modify the school day and school year.

The District needs local flexibility in the areas listed above to improve student outcomes.

Beyond traditional accountability system measures, there is a need for more deliberate focus and attention on:

• Career and college readiness.
• Social and emotional health and well-being.
• Mindset development as evidenced by the District’s Portrait of a Graduate.

Additionally, there is a need to expand the capacity for:

• More staff collaboration so that they are increasingly better equipped to support the diverse needs of our students.

Finally:

• Modifications to the school day and school year are needed to meet the needs of the Plano ISD community.

Texas Education Code 25.0811(a) does not allow school districts to begin school before the fourth Monday of August. This requirement restricts the local community from designing a calendar that best meets the needs of students and families. This requirement also limits the amount of instructional time available before state and advanced placement testing as well as inhibits true alignment with local community colleges providing dual credit courses. Exemption from this requirement allows Plano ISD to collaboratively design an academic calendar based on the needs of and input from the community.

Texas Education Code Section 21.102(b) states that a probationary contract may not exceed one year for a person who has been employed as a teacher in public education for at least five of the eight years preceding employment with the district. This period of time may not be sufficient to evaluate the teacher’s effectiveness in the classroom since teacher contract timelines demand that employment decisions must be made prior to the availability of end-of-year classroom and student data. Exemption from Texas Education Code Section 21.102(b) allows Plano ISD to offer a second probationary contract, when needed, to experienced teachers, counselors, librarians or nurses new to Plano ISD who have been employed in public education for at least five of the eight previous years, to benefit the teacher and students served.

Texas Education Code 21.003 and 21.057 outlines state certification and notification standards for teachers. An exemption from these requirements allows Plano ISD to issue a school district teaching permit to individuals who do not hold a teaching certificate, but whom the District deems best to teach in a particular area. Plano ISD prides itself in hiring the highest quality teaching staff for the benefit of all learners. Occasionally, teachers are needed for positions that are difficult to fill. Staff hired under a school district teaching permit will benefit from the same rights and responsibilities as certified teachers within the district. After the required posting period and candidate interviews, the principal must specify in writing the reason for the request and document what specific credentials (i.e. experiences and expertise) the prospective teacher possesses that would qualify the individual to teach that subject(s).  The District and local campus will assess appropriate training needs for any teacher hired under this exemption. Finally, this is a local certification only and does not transfer to another school district. 

Texas Education Code 25.092 states that a student must be physically present in a class 90% of class meeting time in order to be eligible for course credit. An exemption from this requirement allows Plano ISD the flexibility to focus on student mastery of learning rather than seat time. This exemption allows innovation when meeting student needs through a variety of settings including, but not limited to, virtual learning, blended learning and credit recovery.

Texas Education Codes 21.351 and 21.352 requires student performance data to be included in a teacher’s annual appraisal. Plano ISD believes that student growth is a result of continued teacher growth. The Teacher Professional Growth/Student Performance Objective (TPG SLO) structure connects teacher learning with student learning, and reinforces the ongoing growth expectations of teachers through the teacher appraisal process. Exemption from this education code allows teacher effectiveness to be more accurately assessed on closing achievement gaps for students of diverse backgrounds and educational needs, keeping with the tenets of House Bill 22 of the 85th Texas Legislature and the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Texas Education Code 21.404 entitles each classroom teacher to at least 450 minutes of planning and preparation time each two-week period. This planning time must fall within the student school day. During this planning and preparation period a classroom teacher may not be required to participate in any other activities. This exemption would be used in the following circumstances:

• Scheduled collaborative team: This planning takes place during the school day.
• Supervision of special education students: The special education adult transition program engages students with community based employment related activities. Teachers in this program supervise students when they are off site.
• Summer school: This will maximize instructional time while students are present during summer school programs longer than 4 hours per day.
• Innovative learning time: Time varies when providing flexibility in virtual learning and blended learning programs for students.

This exemption allows Plano ISD to utilize a more flexible approach to teacher planning and preparation time and best serve student needs.

Texas Education Code 25.112 stipulates that a district must submit a request for a class size exception for any classrooms in kindergarten-fourth grade that exceed the 22 students class size limit. This exemption allows Plano ISD to utilize a more flexible class size approach based on student needs and time of year.

ITexas Education Code 25.036 allows a school to accept, transfer students who are not otherwise entitled to enroll in a district. A transfer is interpreted to be for a period of one school year. Exemption from TEC 25.036 allows Plano ISD to eliminate the provision of a one-year commitment in accepting transfer applicants. Nonresident students who have been accepted as an inter-district transfer may have such transfer status revoked by the Superintendent designee at any time during the year if the student is assigned disciplinary consequences such as suspension (in or out of school), placement in a disciplinary alternative program, or expulsion. Additionally, students not meeting the 90% attendance standard may also be subject to immediate revocation of their transfer status.

Texas Education Code 26.011 requires a school district to adopt a complaint procedure under which the board shall address each complaint that the board receives concerning violation of a right guaranteed by TEC Chapter 26. Exemption from TEC 26.011 and applicable changes in SB12 (89th Legislature) allows Plano ISD to better serve parents by defining “days” as business days.