What It Means for HISD Parents and Students

In March, it was announced that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) would be taking over Houston Independent School District (HISD) after several schools in the district fell below state standards. HISD is the state’s largest school district, serving more than 190,000 students across nearly 300 schools. The sweeping changes of this controversial takeover started in June with the removal of the elected HISD school board and superintendent, and their swift replacement by managers appointed by the state of Texas. Read on to learn about which schools will be immediately affected and what changes may be taking place.

The New Education System

 

The New Education System standardizes lesson plans across schools. Photo courtesy of the Houston Independent School District

The new state-appointed officials are implementing a New Education System (NES), starting with 28 under-performing HISD schools in the attempt to improve outcomes for students. If the program proves to aid student success, it will be applied to more schools. Schools included in the New Education System will all share the same schedule, staffing models, and evaluation models. Curriculum and lesson plans will also be standardized. The program is set to focus on student outcomes for math and reading with a heavy emphasis on standardized test scores.

One notable change that has received local press is the decision to eliminate the librarian position from the NES schools, and to turn the libraries into disciplinary centers called “team centers.” Each classroom will now have a webcam and Zoom link, and disruptive students will be pulled out of the classroom, placed with a learning coach to monitor them in the team center, and continuing class via Zoom.

Changes for Teachers Under the TEA Takeover

All positions inside NES schools had to reapply for their roles, excluding custodial staff, health services, nutrition services, and transportation. Principal applicants were interviewed by the Superintendent and Division Superintendents. For educators, the New Education System changes are said to include higher salaries, more teacher support, and incentives like bonuses for student performance.

Schools Implementing the New Education System:

• Berry Elementary
• Cook JR Elementary
• Elmore Elementary
• Kashmere Gardens Elementary
• Kashmere High School
• Key Middle
• McGowen Elementary
• Roderick R Paige Elementary
• Atherton Elementary
• Bruce Elementary
• Dogan Elementary
• Eliot Elementary
• Fleming Middle
• Henderson N Elementary
• Isaacs Elementary
• Martinez R Elementary
• McReynols Middle
• Pugh Elementary
• Scroggins Elementary
• Wheatley High School
• Forest Brook Middle
• Hilliard Elementary
• Shadydale Elementary
• North Forest High School
• Henry Middle
• Highland Heights
• Marshall Elementary
• Sugar Grove Academy

The state-appointed officials are committed to keeping all of the schools open for at least the first year. From there, performance may dictate if the schools will remain open. Learn more about the TEA takeover at HoustonISD.org. You can read the answers to the NES FAQs on their website, but it remains to be seen how the TEA takeover will affect magnet programs, special education, the arts, and athletics. The FAQs state that students will have their IEPs met, magnet programs will be evaluated on a “case by case basis,” and the arts and athletics will not be “immediately” affected.