The ratings were released April 24 following a delay that lasted more than one year due to an injunction blocking the release of the scores.
What you need to know
The score measures “how much students are learning in each grade and whether or not they are ready for the next grade. It also shows how well a school or district prepares their students for success after high school in college, the workforce, or the military,” according to TEA’s website.
PISD received a B in all three performance categories:
- Student achievement, which measures whether students met expectations on the STAAR test along with graduation rates, and how prepared students are for success after high school
- School progress, which shows how students perform over time and how the district’s performance compares to other districts with similar economically disadvantaged student populations
- Closing the gaps, which measures how well a district is ensuring that all student groups are successful
More than 100 Texas school districts, including PISD, sued TEA Commissioner Mike Morath in August 2023, arguing that the agency’s revamped accountability system was “unlawful” and would unfairly harm school districts.
A Travis County district judge blocked the release of the ratings in October 2023, before that ruling was reversed by Texas’ 15th Court of Appeals earlier this month.
“Plano ISD joined 120 other school districts in the lawsuit, not because of anticipated ratings, but to ensure the TEA is held accountable to the law, just as school districts are,” a district news release states. “While the ruling determined that courts should not intervene, the lawsuit has already led to significant procedural changes, including earlier finalization of accountability system details and improved notification processes.”
A second lawsuit currently blocks the TEA from releasing scores for the 2023-24 school year. Morath also said the agency intends to release ratings for the 2024-25 school year Aug. 15, as required by state law.
“This ruling is an important victory and restores a transparent lens into 2023 district and campus performance," a TEA spokesperson said in a statement shared with Community Impact.
Diving in deeper
The district was also given a “what if” rating for the 2021-22 school year, which provides the score districts would have received with the refreshed system. PISD’s “what if” rating for 2022 matched its 2023 score of 84 out of 100.
PISD’s actual rating for the 2021-22 school year was an 89, and it received an A, 91 out of 100, for the 2018-19 school year. Ratings were not given for 2019-20 or 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quote of note
“In Plano ISD, we know that our students, teachers and schools are more than a score,” The district news release states. “Our focus has never been—and will never be—on a single rating. Instead, we remain dedicated to preparing every student for academic success and life beyond the classroom. We look forward to continuing our work with parents and the community to ensure successful futures for all students.”
Hannah Norton contributed to this report.
