HOUSTON – Houston ISD’s new school year starts Monday.
This week, the state-installed superintendent of HISD sat down with KPRC 2 Investigates to call attention to the district’s successes during his first year at the helm.
The well-orchestrated press event was accompanied by a press release that highlighted improvements at previously low-rated schools within HISD.
An excerpt from that press release highlighted Miles’ planned talking points:
“Results show the district drastically reducing the number of “D” and “F” rated schools by nearly two-thirds, from 120 schools in 2023 to 41 in 2024. This improvement was particularly significant at NES schools, where the number of “D” and “F” schools dropped nearly 80 percent – from 63 schools to 14.
Across the district, the number of “A” and “B” rated schools increased by 82%, from 93 in 2023 to 170 in 2024, while NES campuses, where only 11 schools earned “A” or “B” ratings in 2023 educators and students achieved a remarkable 480% increase, with 53 NES campuses rated “A” or “B” in 2024. Further, preliminary accountability ratings show that Houston ISD is engaged in a transformative effort that benefits all schools, not just the NES campuses, as the number of “D” and “F” non-NES campuses also decreased and the number of “A” and “B” non-NES campuses increased by 30% from 2023-2024.”
But it’s certainly not all roses for Miles and HISD.
Three weeks ago, the local teachers’ union, the Houston Federation of Teachers organized a protest aimed directly at Miles.
Teachers, parents, and even students hoisted picket signs at Discovery Green.
“It seems to me; among the rank and file you have a morale issue,” reporter Joel Eisenbaum said during an interview with Miles.
“We were able to get the highest increases this district has ever seen. The kids rose to the level of expectations, the teachers did too. And in my experience, and I suspect in most peoples’ experience, that doesn’t happen when it’s chaotic or devastating morale,” Miles answered.
Eisenbaum and Miles discussed a variety of topics from his decision to hire uncertified teachers, to bussing, to funding issues. Look for upcoming stories based on the conversation.