USP editors' comment: This may seem like a comment on a state-imposed system over which PISD has no control. IT IS NOT.

"The data indicate that on average 87% of all teachers in all categories received the highest rating of 5: Clearly Outstanding. When adding the next rating of 4: Exceeds Expectations, the percentage increases to 98%. Almost ten out of every ten teachers were given the top two ratings. Only two percent of the teachers received marks in the middle rating of Meets Expectations. No teacher received a rating of Below Expectations or Unsatisfactory. While this might mean that the district is blessed overwhelmingly with outstanding teachers, it could also mean that rating inflation has been predominant in Plano.

USP editors' comment: There's another possibility - PISD just has very low expectations...

"In the sample of 165 teacher appraisals, no teacher was shown to be in need of improvement in any domain. However, the district indicated within the past seven years, 31 probationary teachers were recommended for non-renewal."

USP editors' comment: Auditors point out, rightly, that if the district is unwilling to identify poor performance, it will be unable to improve upon it. This cheats both the students and the teachers.