Improvements in Houston’s School District Post-Takeover
Since the Texas Education Agency (TEA) took control of the Houston Independent School District (HISD), the state’s largest school system, student performance has markedly improved across its over 270 campuses. This intervention came after years of academic struggles, which had led to ongoing claims of racism and injustice.
Notably, elementary and middle school students, specifically those in grades 3 through 8, have recorded significant increases in their reading and math scores on the TEA’s STAAR tests over the past three school years. High school students, too, have shown commendable progress in subjects like algebra, English, biology, and U.S. history from 2023 to 2026, effectively narrowing the achievement gap toward the state average.
Superintendent Mike Miles mentioned that the intervention aimed to prioritize students, emphasizing their education and future rather than getting bogged down by adult controversies. He stated, “People may have been concerned about intervention, and I understand the intent of the policy, but it was really focused on the kids.”
In 2023, the TEA formally took over HISD, appointing a governing board and placing Miles at the helm. He voiced urgency in reforming the district, which hadn’t been meeting educational expectations for many years.
Once in office, Miles embarked on a new framework, the New Education System (NES), revolving around a centralized curriculum complemented by specialized classes aimed at honing problem-solving and critical thinking skills. A “Team Center” was also introduced, allowing high-achieving students to engage in advanced independent projects.
The state’s takeover was largely a response to chronic academic shortcomings at Phillis Wheatley High School, a historic institution located in an underserved area of Houston. Before the reforms began for the 2022-23 school year, HISD had 121 campuses graded D or F. Now, there are just 18 D-rated schools and none with an F grade, while the number of A- and B-rated campuses has more than doubled, increasing from 93 to 197.
While HISD experiences improvement, critics argue the 2023 state intervention reflects racial bias, suggesting it was a political maneuver against a city largely governed by people of color. Several civil rights organizations, including the ACLU of Texas and the NAACP, filed formal complaints seeking a federal investigation, claiming that the state undermined local representation by disbanding elected school boards.
Despite the backlash, Miles defended the sweeping reforms, acknowledging the potential for controversy but stressing the focus on children’s educational outcomes. “We’ve made some systemic changes that are going to upset the apple cart for a lot of people,” he added.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, on the other hand, has lauded the intervention. His office highlighted the substantial improvement in student achievement since the governing board’s inception, reinforcing the idea that strong accountability measures are essential for educational success.
The takeover of HISD is projected to persist until at least June 1, 2027, following a timeline established by Texas Education Commissioner Mike Moras.
