Students collaborating in an engaging learning environment at Houston's Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath recently visited Kinder High School, commending the improvements in the Houston Independent School District (HISD). Although he acknowledged significant academic advancements, he remains uncertain about the future of HISD’s state takeover. Morath is set to provide a required update on HISD’s intervention by June 2025, as concerns from the community continue to rise regarding the effectiveness of state intervention and ongoing challenges within the district.
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath recently visited Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and praised the school’s academic advancements. His visit was part of a tour with state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles, during which Morath acknowledged the significant improvements occurring within the Houston Independent School District (HISD).
Morath described the progress made in HISD as “the largest academic improvement that has happened at this scale in the United States.” However, he is currently weighing the future of the state takeover of HISD and did not announce any definitive changes during his visit. As mandated by state law, he is required to provide an update on HISD’s intervention by June 1, 2025.
The Commissioner’s tour included visits to historically challenged campuses, allowing him to personally observe the learning environments. HISD has faced ongoing scrutiny from educators, parents, and community stakeholders regarding the effectiveness of state intervention, and Morath recognized the situation is far from ideal. He reiterated that while progress is being made, it does not equate to a perfect educational framework.
The state takeover of HISD was prompted by repeated failing grades received by a high school over five consecutive years. As prescribed by law, this intervention could result in appointing a state board of managers or even closing the district if measures are not taken to address persistent failures. Morath also indicated that decisions regarding HISD’s future would rely on evaluations of academic performance, compliance with federal special education regulations, and improvements in governance structure.
During his tour, Morath and Superintendent Miles discussed the controversial New Education System (NES) implemented in HISD. While test scores have shown improvement, opinions on the effectiveness of NES are mixed, and overall academic performance across Texas has seen a decline post-COVID-19 pandemic.
Moreover, HISD has experienced significant leadership turnover and a troubling trend of declining enrollment, which has reportedly lost over 30,000 students in the past decade. The district continues to navigate financial challenges linked to these diminishing student populations, leading to speculation around possible school closures in the near future.
The local community has expressed concerns regarding the state’s direct intervention. Houston Education Association President Michelle Williams highlighted the lack of acknowledgment from the Commissioner regarding the perspectives and concerns of students and staff, who may have differing views on the status of education within HISD.
As Morath prepares to issue an assessment of HISD’s intervention by the upcoming due date, he is also closely monitoring other districts, including Fort Worth ISD, which faces similar challenges after a campus received failing ratings for five consecutive years. Morath has cautioned Fort Worth ISD officials about the possibility of state intervention. The ramifications of failing grades can severely impact a district’s future, and the recent closure of a failing campus in Fort Worth serves as a notable example of this process.
Superintendent Miles acknowledged the necessity for HISD to show clear improvement, stating that substantial changes will require time beyond the current two-year timeline. As the district works to address these pressing challenges, the potential for state intervention remains a pivotal concern among Houston educational stakeholders.
The educational landscape in Texas remains under scrutiny as schools contend with the residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which imposed significant declines in both student enrollment and academic achievement across the state. With HISD’s updates scheduled for June 2025, stakeholders will be closely watching for developments that could reshape the future of education in the district.
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