Houston Impartial College District Superintendent Mike Miles introduced a data-heavy presentation to Metropolis Corridor this week, telling council members that HISD colleges are defying long-held narratives about poverty, race and achievement.
On the council’s Financial Growth Committee assembly, Miles touted HISD’s beneficial properties whereas dad and mom, educators and union leaders criticized his management and New Schooling System (NES) reforms.
Whereas studying from a slide deck containing Texas Schooling Company (TEA) accountability information, Miles argued HISD has made historic progress, turning 56 F-rated campuses initially of the intervention to zero and doubling the variety of A and B-rated colleges in 2025.
Miles framed HISD’s progress as a part of a broader battle to rescue public training, citing a Good Purpose Houston report exhibiting that solely 17% of HISD’s Class of 2017 graduates had been incomes a dwelling wage six years later.
“That could be a trigger for alarm for the whole space,” he informed council members, including he’s dedicated to breaking the cycle the place “zip code equals future.”
What did Miles say?
Miles highlighted two years of take a look at rating progress throughout grade ranges. Studying proficiency rose by 9 to 12 factors in a number of grades, whereas math jumped 15 factors in eighth grade. Good points had been particularly robust amongst Black, Hispanic and economically deprived college students, who outpaced white friends in progress charges.
“Take a look at the scores in simply two years. No different district can declare this progress or the narrowing of the achievement hole,” Miles stated, crediting a mixture of high-quality curriculum, strict instruction and a high-performance tradition.
He additionally pointed to HISD’s NES reforms, which emphasize every day teaching for academics, outlined tutorial methods and pay-for-performance compensation.
“That is how we do it right here,” Miles added. “We’re gonna provide the highest salaries, the curriculum, the very best skilled growth. On the opposite aspect, your principal will likely be in your classroom loads. You’ll be evaluated on a pay-for-performance system. You’ll be required to do sure issues instructionally which are non-negotiable. For those who don’t need your principal in your classroom, this isn’t the place to work.”
Council members’ questions
Whereas Miles’ presentation emphasised success, council members pressed him on points starting from college security to price range priorities and trainer morale. Their questions underscored the strain between the district’s reported educational beneficial properties and chronic group skepticism.
Council member Martha Castex-Tatum stated many Houstonians discover it exhausting to consider that some colleges’ scores jumped so shortly.
Miles acknowledged the skepticism however insisted the TEA information is correct.
“Two years in the past, it was exhausting to consider that this might occur. You’ll be able to have all of the conspiracy theories you need. The individuals who do consider it are the dad and mom and the youngsters who’re succeeding.”
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles
Council member Abbie Kamin questioned why some HISD lecture rooms should preserve doorways open when questions involved college security. Miles stated fireplace codes require it, however HISD invests in safe vestibules and single-entry programs.
Kamin additionally criticized HISD’s billboard spending whereas colleges wrestle with HVAC failures and a scarcity of wraparound companies. Miles countered that constitution colleges additionally use billboards and defended HISD’s prioritization of funds, noting that federal COVID-19 aid {dollars} had been beforehand spent on recurring prices, leaving the district with a $256 million deficit when he arrived.
Council member Edward Pollard questioned why HISD intervenes in high-performing colleges. Miles responded that even some A and B colleges disguise deep achievement gaps.
“We’ve got to search out autonomy,” Miles clapped again. “Let’s say you have got a college that’s a ‘D’ and the achievement hole is 45%. Do you do one thing about that or not? I received’t cuss, however sure, I’ll do one thing about that.”
Council member Julian Ramirez requested Miles about allegations that HISD inflated scores by shifting college students out of harder courses. Miles dismissed the declare, noting that algebra enrollment charges stay constant and biology will be taken in tenth grade with out disadvantaging college students.
“The context is, we improved in each single grade in comparison with the state,” Miles stated. “Do you assume that we obtained there by manipulating the information?”
A former educator, council member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz raised considerations about trainer morale and certification. Miles replied that HISD has raised common trainer pay by $8,000 since 2023 and gives the very best salaries within the area. He acknowledged that about 17% of HISD academics are nonetheless pursuing certification, however argued that robust teaching and suggestions have allowed uncertified academics to succeed.
Different council members requested about declining enrollment. Miles stated demographic shifts and deportation fears have fueled enrollment losses, however confused that the district will “rightsize” staffing and proceed to prioritize instruction.
He promised all HISD colleges will likely be A or B-rated campuses by 2027.
Audio system accused Miles of inflating educational beneficial properties whereas destabilizing lecture rooms.
“I don’t need Mike Miles to fail,” stated State Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons. “What we wish is accountability, to have the ability to collaborate with our superintendent.”
Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Academics, cited alarming statistics: HISD misplaced 7,400 college students and 4,700 academics in a single yr, with turnover practically double the state common.
“What does this imply for Houston’s financial well being?” Anderson requested. “Shedding college students means much less funding, triggering price range shortfalls and program cuts. Shedding academics, particularly skilled ones, undermines tutorial high quality. Over time, these losses develop.”
