Houston ISD (HISD) Superintendent Mike Miles recently discussed the district’s unofficial accountability ratings for the 2023-24 school year at Hilliard Elementary. According to unofficial data released by the district, three elementary schools in HISD raised their state accountability grades from F to A. This is a significant achievement for the district, especially considering the challenges faced in recent years.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has been unable to release annual academic ratings for schools across the state for the past two years due to ongoing litigation with districts that claim the ratings have been calculated unfairly. In response, HISD has compiled its own campus ratings for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years using data and methodology from the state. Superintendent Mike Miles highlighted the improvements at Hilliard, Hobby, and Wainwright elementary schools, noting that they are likely the only schools in the state to improve from F to A during that time frame.
Hilliard principal Erica Kimball expressed pride in her students’ academic growth, attributing their success to the dedication and hard work of her colleagues. The districtwide accountability ratings released earlier this month showed a positive trend, with a decrease in the number of D- and F-rated campuses and an increase in the number of A and B schools. Miles credited these improvements to the instructional reforms implemented at 85 schools, with the New Education System (NES) model expanding to 130 campuses this year.
While schools like Hilliard, Hobby, and Wainwright thrived under the NES model, not all schools saw improvements in their ratings. Atherton Elementary, for example, slipped from a B to an F. Despite some setbacks, nearly 150 schools in the district improved their scores by at least one letter grade, showcasing overall progress.
The North Forest High School feeder pattern, which previously had D or F ratings, saw all six schools achieve grades of C or better for the 2023-24 school year. Similarly, Wheatley High School, which had previously received failing ratings triggering the state’s takeover of HISD, improved from a D to a B. Assistant Superintendent Orlando Riddick emphasized that the district’s reform efforts are systemic and ongoing.
However, the state’s intervention in HISD, which included the replacement of elected trustees with a state-appointed board of managers, has faced criticism from the Houston community. Additionally, the reforms implemented under Miles have led to staffing turnover and a decline in enrollment. Despite these challenges, HISD remains committed to improving academic outcomes for its students and continuing its efforts towards positive change.
