During a visit to Houston this week, Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath defended the state’s intervention in the Houston ISD.
Morath’s visit, accompanied by HISD Superintendent Mike Miles, came weeks before the Texas Education Agency is mandated by law to decide whether to extend its takeover of HISD, which began two years ago.
Morath’s visit included stops at three HISD campuses: Forest Brook Middle School, Hilliard Elementary and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). He said he observed “great instruction” in English, math, science, social studies and arts.
At a press conference, Morath fielded questions on funding equity for the district’s most underfunded schools, electioneering investigations and the sustainability of HISD Superintendent’s controversial New Education System (NES) model.
“One year after the intervention, this is the largest academic improvement that has happened at this scale in the United States, that the amount of improvement in academic potential and lifetime potential for kids is pretty spectacular,”
Mike Morath, Texas Commissioner of Education
Will the TEA takeover of HISD end anytime soon?
Morath was pressed on whether the TEA will decide to end the takeover. He has until June 1 to decide whether to keep the nine appointed Board of Managers for up to two more years or begin a transition back to an elected leadership.
While offering no definitive announcement, he cited the three exit criteria required to end the takeover: the elimination of multi-year failing campuses, HISD’s special education program compliance with federal and state guidelines and a school board focused on student outcomes.
He also referenced the statutory requirement that Wheatley High School, which triggered the TEA takeover, must earn a “C” grade or higher for the next two years.
“It [the decision] is something that we’re actively considering. It’s one of the reasons why I wanted to do this visit,” Morath said during a press conference.
He defended the takeover’s impacts so far, thanking Miles and the board. Morath also pointed to North Forest campuses, once rated as “F” schools, now offering instruction where “children are walking taller” and “achieving at higher levels.”
“It has clearly improved for many. But that doesn’t mean that we live in a utopia,” Morath said. “It means that we will continue to work to make the schools better and better for all of our children.”
School vouchers and equity
With school vouchers now a reality in Texas and asked about how the $1 billion program over the next two years will impact struggling public schools, especially those serving underserved communities, Morath emphasized that the legislature is also considering a $7.5 billion funding infusion for public schools alongside the voucher bill.
However, the House and Senate are currently debating the details of public school funding. The Senate education committee has yet to decide on the future of House Bill 2, a proposal that increases school districts’ money per student and teacher salaries (tied to their experience) and limits hiring uncertified teachers.
“The legislature entertained this option to give a choice to families,” Morath said. “I’m interested in families, where they live, what they look like and their backgrounds. For the families that want to take advantage of this option, this will be a huge help for them and their children.”
Schools with minority enrollment
In the 2022-2023 TEA accountability ratings, Black student majority high schools were found to have underperformed and received failing grades.
Morath turned to data to explain the trend, explaining that three F-rated campuses rose to an A in the past year, all three in HISD after the intervention began.
“If you want to try to address the historic problems of the achievement gap, you need a lot more of that academic growth,” he added.
HISD budget cuts and curricular sustainability
With HISD navigating the budget season, Morath responded to criticism over the school district’s cuts to wraparound services. He did not agree that HISD was abandoning its model of student support.
“There are many managerial decisions districts can make to deliver holistic supports,” he said. “Operational changes don’t necessarily equal a change in direction.”
Morath expressed optimism about the sustainability of the NES model, which parents and community members have vocally criticized for months during HISD board meetings for leading to a high turnover of teachers and principals.
“The NES model is a very well-structured model to ensure that children always reach mastery on every concept, that they don’t just skip a topic,” he said. “I don’t have any long-term concerns about the sustainability of that model.”
While addressing broader concerns of a teacher shortage across the state, Morath said the legislature is considering new avenues to retain new educators.
“Policy makers in Austin wanna see improvements and strategic investments to help ensure that we can recruit the best and brightest minds,” he said.
