PLATO Learning, Inc. (NASDAQ: TUTR)announced an important new $1.9 million five-year contract with Garland Independent School District, the eleventh largest district in the state of Texas. Serving 25,000 students and nearly 2,000 teachers, Garland ISD will expand its use of PLATO content by implementing PLATO Learning's entire library of secondary education courseware, plus technical services and professional development services from PLATO's TeachMaster Professional Services Group. The project includes a full-time, dedicated PLATO curriculum consultant for the district for a two-year period.

"We are delighted that Garland ISD has decided to build upon its previous success with PLATO Learning to implement a complete PLATO solution. We are now the sole provider of the district's credit recovery program," said PLATO Learning President and CEO John Murray. "We are confident that our solution will offer the district the in-depth alignment to standards and tests it needs to continue to help improve student achievement. In addition, our new staff development organization, TeacherMaster Professional Services Group, will play a critical role in providing not only product training and technology integration, but also consulting services on accountability issues and school improvement planning that will be key to helping the district achieve its goals."

The district was seeking a comprehensive web-based library of curriculum under one system with stringent coverage of TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills), and selected PLATO Learning after an intensive competitive process as the best solution to meet those needs. PLATO Learning aligns to TEKS and provides age appropriate curriculum, higher order thinking skills, and authentic and project-based learning.

PLATO Learning can also be customized to fit local courses and benchmarks across a wide variety of programs including TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) preparation, SAT prep, ESL and Special Education. PLATO Learning will address the needs of the district's credit recovery programs across the secondary environment. In addition, the district schools will use PLATO courseware as a supplement to class preparation in core subject areas.