Houston ISD’s discipline incidents have gone down districtwide, along with in-school
suspensions and referrals to the Discipline Alternative Education Program (DAEP).
Incidents like possession of firearms, however, have increased by 133.33% and expulsions show mixed results across HISD’s campuses, according to Superintendent Mike Miles.
HISD’s discipline incidents have gone down by 21% overall, with HISD divisions showing the following reductions in cases:
- Central: -16.5%
- West: -35%
- North: -14%
- South: -17%
Which incidents increased the most?
Possession of firearms has increased by a whopping 133.33%, jumping from 18 cases in 2024 to 42 in 2025 (so far).
“And that’s why we’re also doing things like putting in the weapon detection systems, which we’re not done with, but we have made good progress,” Miles said. “It has been going fairly smoothly. We’re hoping that that’s not a panacea, but it should help.”
Earlier this year, HISD started a rapid overhaul of its security system, following gun threats and safety concerns at its campuses. It introduced a new “weapons detection system” called OpenGate, starting at Lamar High School.
Miles also pointed out the declines in other incidents, including cursing at staff (16%), chronic cell phone violations (41%), assault/contact with a teacher (28%) and bullying (10%).
Also, fighting, insubordination, drug-related violations, terroristic threats and skipping also saw declines.
In- and out-of-school suspensions
In-school suspensions (ISS) have decreased by 15% and out-of-school (OSS) suspensions decreased by 21% across the district. West division campuses have shown the most improvement in both.
High school ISS and OSS numbers have decreased the most.
Board member Adam Rivon asked Miles if students received counseling or mental health resources before being suspended. Miles responded, saying HISD provides “normal things” like counselors, principals, APs (assistant principals), office managers, social workers and threat identification tools. Miles added that New Education System (NES) schools foster a more “safe and orderly” environment than non-NES schools.
He explained that if a student is taken out of class, they are not suspended but can use Zoom to attend the rest of the class through a laptop, referring to “Team Centers.” This is where students with behavioral issues are placed and those excelling in class practice materials individually or in teams.
“That has worked well to not only make kids more orderly and respect the school environment, but it has kept them from being suspended,” Miles said.
NES vs. non-NES schools
HISD reported incidents at NES schools have declined at a rate of 27% higher than those at non-NES campuses (10%).
“That’s remarkable to me,” Miles said.
However, ISS incidents have increased by 5% in non-NES schools and decreased by 32.5% at NES schools.
“What’s happening here on the incidents, especially in NES, is a more safe and orderly environment,” Miles explained. “It is about making sure there are some strict rules, not unfair rules, and that we don’t suspend kids right away.”
DAEP records
Districtwide, students who have violated the HISD code of conduct or committed offenses like felonies are referred to the Discipline Alternative Education Program (DAEP), a separate program. At DAEPs, students must focus on academics, behavioral support and receive counseling to address the issues leading to their removal.
HISD stated its DAEP referrals have reduced by half across the district, its campuses across all five divisions and its NES and non-NES schools since last year.
Elementary schools improved most, followed by high schools and middle schools.
Expulsions
While expulsion numbers look alarming, a closer look tells a different story.
“Expulsions are actually up a little bit, but keep in mind we’re not talking about thousands of incidents,” Miles explained.
Expulsions vary across campuses in all divisions:
- Central: 160%, as incidents went up from five cases in 2024 to 13 in 2025
- West: 175%, as incidents went up from four cases in 2024 to 11 in 2025
- North: -56%, as incidents went down from 16 cases in 2024 to seven in 2025
- South: -33%, as incidents went down from nine cases in 2024 to six in 2025
Non-NES schools’ cases jumped from eight to 18, resulting in a 125% increase, while NES schools’ cases decreased from 26 to 19, with a -27 % decrease.
Expulsions dropped in high schools by grade level but rose slightly in elementary and middle schools, with two and four additional cases, respectively.
