HISD classrooms exhibiting improved student engagement and learning progress.
Houston Independent School District (HISD) students have made remarkable strides in state assessments, particularly in reading and math. Following intervention by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the appointment of a new superintendent, HISD has adopted a new educational strategy that emphasizes proven teaching methods. The district’s performance has notably improved, with many students exceeding state averages, especially among low-income and minority groups. Despite these successes, challenges remain, and the TEA’s oversight will continue as reforms are enacted across various campuses.
Houston Independent School District (HISD) students have shown significant year-over-year improvement in their performance on state assessments, particularly in the core subjects of reading and math. This notable progress comes after the Texas Education Agency (TEA) intervened in HISD operations due to the district’s severe underperformance in earlier assessments.
In 2023, TEA took over the district’s management, appointing Mike Miles as the new superintendent. Under a newly implemented strategy branded as a “no nonsense and no excuses” plan, Miles aimed to restructure HISD’s educational framework. This approach mirrors some of his successful reforms instituted during his tenure at Dallas Independent School District (DISD) but was adapted for a larger and more complex urban educational environment in Houston.
Recent data indicates that HISD students made improvements in 17 out of 20 subjects tested on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams. Many subjects, including key areas like reading and math, recorded high single or double-digit percentage gains. Importantly, low-income and minority students within HISD have begun to outperform state averages in critical subjects such as Algebra I, signaling a positive trend in equity and academic achievement.
The district has implemented a “New Education System” which mandates that teachers utilize proven pedagogies while providing additional resources to assist struggling students. As a result, this academic year HISD has exceeded performance levels from 2023 across multiple English-language subjects, marking a substantial turnaround.
Despite these accomplishments, HISD faces ongoing challenges. The TEA has determined that the state intervention will continue for at least two more years. This extension is necessary to address ongoing issues at approximately 40 campuses that received D or F ratings. Additionally, certain subjects such as social studies and some math areas showed setbacks compared to last year’s scores, indicating that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done.
Overall, HISD students are reported to be “approaching grade level” at a higher rate than in previous years, which contrasts with a concerning trend across Texas, where many districts are still struggling to maintain academic performance levels seen prior to state intervention measures.
The results of HISD’s assessment improvements have given rise to a campaign dubbed “The Houston Comeback,” which emphasizes enhanced engagement from both students and teachers as integral to the success of these reforms. Yet, the TEA has warned that substantial improvements are needed, particularly in exiting the state intervention, which hinges on eliminating multiyear failing schools within the district.
In the midst of these developments, discussions in the Texas Senate are leading to proposed bills aimed at replacing the STAAR examination system. The ongoing debate centers around the effectiveness of STAAR in providing an accurate measure of student performance across the state, suggesting that the current evaluation methods may require reevaluation as educators focus on supporting student progress effectively.
As HISD continues on its path of transformation, the district is committed to refining its educational practices and addressing the academic needs of its diverse student body, reflecting a broader effort to enhance educational outcomes across Houston.
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