The Latest Breaking News from Houston ISD

Texas Democrat who championed A-F trigger law says he’s trying to fix schools

Advocates say takeovers help students in underperforming schools, while opponents argue communities lose control of their children’s education.

The Texas Tribune · Sep 26

More Than 11,500 Students Left Chicago Public Schools This Year — And the Funding Collapse Is Just Beginning

Chicago Public Schools lost 11,500 students this year. Latino neighborhoods bear the brunt — and Houston's crisis shows exactly where this leads.

Latin Times · Sep 25

Houston ISD directs schools to cut staff and slash spending amid higher than expected enrollment losses

The announcement comes after a Texas Tribune investigation revealed the reforms the district’s state-appointed superintendent implemented, known as the New Education System, are straining finances.

The Texas Tribune · Sep 24

The Takeover Tab: State-Imposed Superintendent Buyouts Cost School Districts Big Bucks

And, critics of TEA takeovers say, those costs are just the beginning of expenses that come with state intervention but without state recompense.

Texas Observer · Aug 13

The ‘Houston Miracle’ Shell Game

How Houston ISD’s takeover regime inflated school accountability ratings by systematically holding back certain students

Texas Observer · Aug 5

Will New School District Takeovers Follow the Model—and ‘Chaos’—of Houston ISD?

The state education agency took over four additional districts this spring, installing leaders linked to Houston’s state-imposed superintendent, Mike Miles, including two who worked for his former charter school network.

Texas Observer · Jun 3

Feds investigate Houston ISD for plans to separate students with disabilities

Houston school administrators say the move would give children who need the support more focused attention. But the U.S. Department of Education worries the plan amounts to segregation.

The Texas Tribune · May 8

A Houston ISD exec tapped for Beaumont schools superintendent during its second state takeover

Former Houston school administrators now work as superintendents or key executives in three districts under Texas’ control. This is Beaumont’s second state intervention in recent years.

The Texas Tribune · Apr 29

Mike Miles Cancels Moonlighting Contract with His Former Charter School Network

Houston ISD says its state-appointed superintendent has ended a paid agreement with Third Future Schools, after the Observer obtained the contract and requested comment. A 2025 state law restricts moonlighting by superintendents.

Texas Observer · Apr 15

Mike Miles’ Former Charter School Network Expands Its Footprint in Texas

Some school district leaders say they believed they had only one option for a partnership to avoid state takeover.

Texas Observer · Apr 7