Plano Independent School District Awards Special Education Management Contract to 4GL School Solutions

Business Wire, Feb 10, 2004

Business Editors/Education Writers

TOWSON, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 2004

Texas School District to Implement Web-based Solution to Manage

IEP Process, Ensure Compliance, and Reduce Paperwork

The Plano Independent School District (ISD) in Plano, Texas has chosen 4GL School Solutions Inc. (4GL) to a provide a comprehensive, Web-based solution for special education program management for its schools. 4GL School Solutions is a leading provider of proven, data-driven solutions for managing special populations, including special education, Section 504, English language learners, and at-risk students.

The Plano ISD will install two key modules of 4GL's Web-based ENCORE!(TM) suite of special education management solutions: Timeline Tracker(TM) and Forms Tracker(TM). Designed specifically for the K-12 education market, ENCORE! helps districts operate more efficiently by automating and streamlining data collection and management to increase the effectiveness of special education programs.

"We chose 4GL's ENCORE! program because it offered features that other Web-based programs we reviewed did not, such as built-in features to ensure compliance with legal requirements," said Judy Haven, director of Special Education Services for the Plano ISD. "With this program, we will be able to easily collect and store the data we need for state and federal reports, as well as generate reports to increase data-driven decision making at both the campus and district levels. We are also hoping that it will help to increase efficiency and reduce the amount of time spent on paperwork."

The web-based ENCORE! product suite provides education professionals with a powerful technology solution for managing the administrative complexities and critical decision-making processes inherent in programs for special populations. A key component of the ENCORE! suite is Timeline Tracker, a powerful application that ensures accountability district-wide through a dynamic business process database of special education information and timelines. Timeline Tracker manages and monitors all phases of the individual education process for students. As a result, time and energy can be refocused on improving learning.

Interacting with Timeline Tracker is Forms Tracker, a program designed to streamline data entry with electronic versions of district-specific forms used by special education teams. As data is entered, compliance requirements are automatically verified, a process that can reduce a district's special needs program paperwork burden by as much as 40 percent.

About the Plano Independent School District

Located approximately 20 miles north of downtown Dallas, the Plano Independent School District encompasses 100 square miles in the southwest corner of Collin County, including Plano, northern Dallas, Richardson, Parker, parts of Allen, Carrollton, and Murphy. The K-12 school district serves 51,800 students in 65 schools, including 6,134 students who receive special education services.

About 4GL School Solutions Inc.

4GL School Solutions Inc. provides proven, data-driven solutions for managing special populations, including special education, Section 504, English language learners, and at-risk students. 4GL works collaboratively with K-12 districts to deliver products and services tailored to their specific needs. By automating and streamlining data collection and management, 4GL helps districts increase efficiency, revenue recovery, staff satisfaction, and student achievement of outcomes. The company's products include the web-based ENCORE!(TM) suite of products, featuring Timeline Tracker(TM), Forms Tracker(TM), Encounter Tracker(TM), Claims Tracker(TM), and Educational Outcomes Cubes(TM). Founded in 1996, 4GL School Solutions serves more than 80 school districts representing more than 1.3 million students nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.4glschools.com or call 877-678-8070.