A tale of two districts From the cover
A closer look
The overview
Systemic reform In addition to the introduction of the NES at 130 campuses, Miles has implemented several major changes since he was appointed, including: Nine days added to HISD’s academic calendar A new teacher evaluation system that includes special education program metrics A performance-based pay increase system Approval to hire uncertified teachers The conversion of libraries to “team centers,” where students are sent to work on more rigorous assignments, at NES campuses
Miles said the introduction of the New Educa- tion System, or NES model, at 130 low-performing campuses has been one of the most significant changes introduced since his arrival. Of the 22 campuses located within Heights, River Oaks and Montrose’s coverage area, three have adopted the NES model. While teachers at NES campuses are required to adhere to a district-approved curriculum and instructional model, Miles said they have access to additional resources, including regular coaching, teacher apprentices and support staff. Miles said the instructional model consists of daily structured lessons followed by a quiz, which is used to determine whether a student will receive more targeted instruction or be sent to a “team center” to complete more rigorous work. “The kids who already get it get pushed ... and the kids who are still learning the objective get more time with the expert,” Miles said.
Houston ISD will remain governed by officials appointed by the Texas Education Agency until at least June 2027, extending the contentious state takeover by two years. The extension was announced by TEA Commissioner Mike Morath in a June 17 news release, more than two years after TEA officials appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and a nine-member board of managers. Miles, who was awarded a five-year contract extension in June, said his team has implemented major changes at almost every level throughout the district. “The district was struggling, not just academically, but systemically through systems for hiring, providing feedback, evaluating, transporting kids and finances,” Miles said. “The solution has to be different from what we’ve always done.” Despite improvements in student exam scores and state accountability ratings, many parents, teacher organizations and community members have continued to voice opposition to Miles’ reform.
SOURCE: HOUSTON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
However, Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, said many former teachers cited the structured lesson plans as a primary factor for resigning. “They are not allowed to teach the real, authen- tic teaching to students,” Anderson said.
STAAR passage rate changes, 2023 vs. 2025 The data shows the difference in the percentage points of all HISD students who approached grade level from spring 2023 and 2025 administrations of the STAAR.
By the numbers
2019 HISD takeover timeline
June: If HISD meets the TEA’s requirements to end the takeover, state officials would replace one-third of the appointed board with elected trustees every year until all nine elected trustees are seated. June: The TEA appoints Mike Miles to serve as superintendent as well as nine board managers to replace the district’s elected board of trustees. June: The TEA extends the state’s takeover of HISD until June 2027. January: The Texas Supreme Court sides with the TEA in the lawsuit, clearing the way for the state takeover. August: TEA officials recommend state intervention after the findings of a six-month investigation alleging misconduct by some trustees. November: TEA Commissioner Mike Morath notifies HISD officials that he plans to initiate a state takeover after Wheatley High School received its seventh consecutive failing A-F accountability rating. January: A district-led lawsuit results in a temporary injunction against the state, halting the takeover.
Although not required, Miles said 139 of the district’s 144 non-NES campuses have opted to use district-approved curriculum in the 2025-26 school year. He pointed to the curriculum as one of the biggest contributors to rising test scores through- out the district. In the two years since the takeover, the percent- age of students who approached grade level—con- sidered passing—increased for every STAAR exam subject except eighth-grade social studies, which saw no change, TEA data shows. HISD students saw the most significant improvement in biology, where the percentage of students approaching grade level rose from 77% in the 2022-23 school year to 91% in 2024-25. According to a June report by nonpartisan edu- cation nonprofit Good Reason Houston, students enrolled at NES campuses are improving at a faster rate than their non-NES peers. From the 2022-23 school year to the 2024-25 school year, the percentage of all third- through eighth-grade students who met or mastered their grade level on the math STAAR exam rose from 45% to 48% at non-NES campuses. At NES campuses, the percentage of students who received “met” or “mastered” marks on their respective math exams rose from 23% to 37%.
Percentage point change from 2023-25
0 2 4 6 8101214
2020
3rd grade 4th grade 5th grade 6th grade 7th grade 8th grade 3rd grade 4th grade 5th grade 6th grade 7th grade 8th grade 5th grade 8th grade 8th grade
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
social studies Algebra I EOC Biology EOC English I EOC English II EOC U.S. History EOC
2027
2028
SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, HOUSTON ISD/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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