In a recent development that has Houston parents and educators buzzing, Houston Independent School District (HISD) reported a sharp decline in the number of its schools that received D or F ratings. According to the Houston Chronicle, HISD's preliminary TEA A-F ratings for 2024 show a drop from 121 schools to 41 schools receiving such low ratings. These ratings, which reflect standardized test performance, student growth, and strides in closing achievement gaps, are a peek into the effort HISD has been putting into educational reform.
This positive trend, detailed by the district's state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles, signals a two-third reduction compared to unofficial ratings the district released last year under the Texas Education Agency’s revised standards. "The (TEA’s) exit criteria calls for zero campuses that have a D or F rating, so we took a big chunk out of the 121," Miles said in a statement obtained by the Houston Chronicle. However, despite the progress, some of Houston's leading institutions grappled with a shocking dip in their ratings due to changes in TEA's evaluation guidelines, as reported by ABC13.
Parents reacted with surprise and concern as well-regarded schools like Anderson Elementary plunged from an "A" to an "F" overnight. "I'm surprised a school like this went from an 'A' to an 'F' rating," Fernando Flores, a parent at Anderson, told ABC13. Critically, the district saw 29 schools drop from a "B" to an "F," echoing sentiments among some parents and educators that the new ratings might reflect more than academic performance, touching on issues of location and political dynamics within the school district.
Amidst the educational shuffle, HISD's New Education System (NES) program has surfaced as a key player in the district's schools' performance. This year, HISD reported that of its 85 NES schools, 14 received As and 39 received Bs, showcasing a remarkable improvement from the previous year's unofficial ratings. Furthermore, the district has made strides by increasing the number of A- and B-rated schools from 93 to 170. "The NES program is a program that has been tested, and we know giving those social support and the teachers to these NES schools is going to help those kids and help the schools move out of 'D' and 'F' status," Miles explained in an interview with ABC13.
As HISD schools navigate these changes, Mike Miles emphasizes that the key to autonomy and stability is earning consecutive improved ratings. Under the NES, schools are given levels of autonomy based on their ratings, and this system could, potentially bring consistency and less volatility in academic performance. "We talked about not wanting to have such volatility in the autonomy level," Miles said in comments shared by the Houston Chronicle. While official TEA scores are scheduled to be released on August 15, HISD’s preliminary data offers a glimpse into a district amid transformation, hoping to turn the tide of academic assessments and school success.
