Could the controversial state takeover of Houston schools become the ultimate blueprint for overhauling public education?

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Houston’s takeover is more likely to become a contested case study than a clean national blueprint. Supporters have a strong argument on short-term academics. Since the 2023 state intervention, HISD has posted sizable STAAR gains, especially in grades 3 through 8, and the number of A- and B-rated campuses has risen sharply. Wheatley High School, whose repeated low ratings helped trigger the takeover, later earned an A. Backers say the state-imposed New Education System, tighter instructional control, added staffing at targeted campuses, and higher pay at some schools produced faster gains than incremental reform usually does. But the evidence against treating Houston as a simple model is substantial. Critics say some of the gains were boosted by accountability tactics rather than deeper learning, including use of Texas College Bridge-style courses and changes in math course placement that may have improved ratings while narrowing access to rigorous pathways such as Algebra II, AP Calculus, and AP Statistics. State and outside research has also raised doubts about whether some college-readiness measures used in ratings actually predict college success. The takeover has also come with heavy tradeoffs: loss of elected local control, high teacher turnover, rising use of uncertified teachers, enrollment declines, budget pressure, cuts to services, and costly reforms that may be hard to sustain. Reports from community groups and researchers describe strained school culture, script…

Texas Think Tank Accuses Houston School Group of Radical Tactics as HISD Cites 197 Top-Rated Campuses

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Texas Think Tank Accuses Houston School Group of Radical Tactics as HISD Cites 197 Top-Rated Campuses

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