By HISD schools have faced numerous changes and challenges, but data suggest that many schools have improved in the past year.
According to a report by the Houston Chronicle, nearly 150 schools across the district saw an improvement in their Texas Education Agency accountability ratings in 2024, with the number of campuses receiving a D or F rating dropping by about two-thirds.
One key element of the transformation has been state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles’ New Education System (NES), which brought an organized, standardized approach to instruction. The NES model, introduced in 2023, includes a standardized curriculum, additional support staff, extended school hours, and structured lesson pacing, all of which were designed to provide students with a consistent and effective learning experience.
Of the 85 original NES campuses, 14 earned a D or F in 2024, down from 63 the year before.
One of the schools that saw improvements in their ratings is Highland Heights, which moved from a “D” rating to a “B” in the TEA rating. Principal Bettina McKinney told the Chronicle that when she took over Heights in the final weeks of the 2021-2021, teachers struggled without support, and the school culture had negatively impacted student learning.
She said that the school’s success can be attributed to a focus on consistent staffing, effective instruction, and the implementation of a new educational system.
While some schools have improved, Houston ISD’s transformation is far from over. In November, voters will decide on a $4.4 billion bond proposal that includes plans to rebuild and renovate campuses across the district. Although she expressed some doubts, current District II trustee Savant Moore is optimistic about the district’s progress.
“My goal is to work collaboratively with the current administration and staff to support our kids, and I will continue to encourage my constituents to register and vote on policies impacting our neighborhoods,” she told the Chronicle.
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