6.9.26 – Fox News
“Texas’ Largest School District Sees Test Scores Soar After State Takeover”
By Louis Casiano
Excerpts from this article:
The Houston Independent School District (HISD), the largest school system in Texas, has seen dramatic improvements in student grades and test scores across its more than 270 campuses in the years since a state takeover.
A-rated and B-rated campuses more than doubled from 93 to 197 across the school system since 2023.
The sweeping intervention followed years of academic underperformance and drew ongoing accusations of racism and unfairness.
Across the district's elementary and middle schools, students in grades 3 through 8 showed substantial improvements in reading and math scores on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests in the three school years since the Texas Education Agency (TEA) took control.
Furthermore, students in HISD high schools made significant year-over-year improvements from 2023 to 2026 in algebra, English, biology and U.S. history, effectively narrowing performance gaps compared to state averages, according to data provided to Fox News Digital.
"People may have worried about the intervention, and I understand the politics of that, but really it was focused on kids, achievement, and their future — not adult issues," HISD Superintendent Mike Miles told Fox News Digital.
"And we have shown that we can make any district that's struggling, especially large or medium urban districts, move very quickly to do right by kids and raise achievement results."
In 2023, the TEA officially took over HISD, replacing its elected leadership with a state-appointed board of managers and installing Miles as superintendent.
“When you have kids who are that far behind in reading and math, we came in with a high sense of urgency," Miles said of his efforts to reform what many viewed as a failing system.
Upon taking office, Miles introduced the New Education System (NES) model.
The overhaul uses a centralized curriculum alongside specialized classes aimed at problem-solving and critical thinking.
It [curriculum] also established "Team Centers," where students who excel in daily core subject lessons are sent to complete advanced, independent work.
The state takeover was initially prompted by years of chronic academic failure at Phillis Wheatley High School.
The historic school is located in Houston's Fifth Ward, one of the city's most historically underserved areas.
Data shows that BEFORE the district's transformation in the 2022–23 school year, HISD had a combined total of 121 D- and F-rated campuses.
Currently, there are only 18 D-rated schools and zero F-rated campuses across the entire district.
Meanwhile, the number of A- and B-rated campuses more than doubled, jumping from 93 to 197.
…Miles acknowledged that intervention from Austin, the state capital, was likely to generate criticism given how fast he moved to implement change.
"We made comprehensive reforms — not just one change, not just two changes," Miles countered.
"We made several systemic changes, and that's going to upset the apple cart for a lot of people."
"I also understand that when you have an outside group, the state, sidelining the elected board and putting in a board of managers, that also draws a lot of concern and anxiety about a process where your elected representatives don't have the same amount of power and influence," Miles added.
"So, yes, all of that's understandable. Having said that, the things we're doing are focused on kids. The outcomes show that."
…Despite local criticism, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has heavily praised the intervention.
"Texas children deserve the best education possible, which requires a strong accountability system," Andrew Mahaleris, Abbott's press secretary, told Fox News Digital.
"Since the appointment of a Board of Managers, Houston ISD has shown meaningful improvement in student achievement."
Mahaleris noted that state test scores for HISD students have consistently maintained an upward trajectory in math and reading since the takeover began.
"Governor Abbott is focused on making Texas number one in educating our students, and the progress in Houston is evidence that state accountability measures work," he said.
The state takeover of HISD is scheduled to continue through at least June 1, 2027, under a timeline set by Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath.
MORE INFORMATION
10.10.24 – “Two Days Inside an HISD School That Improved From F to B Grade Under Mike Miles’ Changes” -- By Asher Lehrer-Small – Houston Landing -- https://donnagarner.org/10-10-24-two-days-inside-an-hisd-school-that-improved-from-f-to-b-under-mike-miles-changes-by-asher-lehrer-small-houston-landing/
6.21.23 – “Houston ISD’s New State-Appointed Supe Wants To Use the Same Polarizing Approach He Applied in Dallas Schools” -- By Brian Lopez – Texas Tribune -- https://donnagarner.org/6-21-23-houston-isds-new-state-appointed-supes-approach-by-brian-lopez-texas-tribune/
4.24.26 -- “10 Important Years with TX. Ed. Comm. Mike Morath” -- From Donna Garner -- https://donnagarner.org/4-24-26-10-important-years-with-tx-ed-comm-mike-morath-from-donna-garner/
4.13.26 -- “TX SBOE Decides Against Muslim Indoctrination” -- From Donna Garner -- https://donnagarner.org/4-13-26-tx-sboe-decides-against-muslim-indoctrination-from-donna-garner/
1.13.26 -- “Bringing Traditional, Classical Literature Back to Texas Schools” -- By Donna Garner -- https://donnagarner.org/1-13-26-bringing-traditional-classical-literature-back-to-texas-schools-by-donna-garner/
9.18.25 -- “Texas SBOE Voted To Teach History in Logical Order” -- From Donna Garner -- https://donnagarner.org/9-18-25-texas-sboe-voted-to-teach-history-in-logical-order-from-donna-garner/
8.28.25 -- “TX Schools Using New, Printed, Character-Building Curriculum” -- From Donna Garner -- https://donnagarner.org/8-28-25-tx-schools-using-new-printed-character-building-curriculum-from-donna-garner/