HOUSTON – It’s been a rocky start to the first week of school for Houston ISD but Superintendent Mike Miles is hoping to turn people’s Mondays around by sharing an exciting announcement.
The superintendent was joined by several other district leaders and elected officials at 2 p.m. Monday to tout the remarkable improvements in Texas’ accountability ratings
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Exact results from the ratings have not been shared, as of this writing, but HISD is calling the results a “dramatic progress” compared to when it first began.
“The District has seen dramatic progress,” HISD said in a press release. “The number of “A” and “B” rated schools increased by 82%, from 93 in 2023 to 170 in 2024. Meanwhile, the number of “D” and “F” rated schools fell by nearly two-thirds, from 120 schools in 2023 to 41 in 2024.”
“We are incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to achieve in one year,” said HISD Superintendent Mike Miles. “Across the district, schools delivered significant improvements in student achievement on state assessments. Together with our dedicated teachers, principals, and everyone at HISD, we will continue to provide high-quality instruction that builds on this growth.”
The district touted the NES (New Education System) introduced in 85 schools as one of the factors in the rating increases.
“In 2023, only 11 NES schools received “A” or “B” ratings. In the latest ratings, 53 NES campuses now earn an “A” or “B” rating, a remarkable 480% increase. Moreover, HISD’s investment in educators led to dramatic growth across all district schools. Over the past year, 55 HISD schools have gone from a “D” or “F” rating to an “A” or “B” rating. In 2024, these schools served over 27,000 of Houston’s students, more than enough to fill the Toyota Center,” a release from the district said.
“As both a parent and a parent advocate, I’m proud to see the remarkable progress HISD has made in improving school performance and student achievement,” said Janice Thomas. “Our collective efforts—parents, educators, and community members—are creating a new era of excellence in our schools. Together, we’re ensuring that more families can confidently send their children to school, knowing they’re receiving the education and support they deserve to thrive.”
The district said schools that have historically struggled with student achievement have made real progress.
Using Wheatley High School as an example, the district said it achieved a “B” rating, up from its previous “D” rating. Wainwright Elementary School made even more dramatic progress as one of three HISD schools that went from “F” to “A.”
“Our children and community deserve a quality education, and I am encouraged to see more schools providing that much-needed quality education,” said Pastor D.Z. Cofield. “These improvements are not just numbers—they represent the countless lives being positively impacted by this transformative approach to education.”
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