Since the Texas Education Agency (TEA) took control of the Houston Independent School District, student test scores have increased significantly, despite claims of racism from several activist groups.
The New Education System, put forth by state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles, has centralized education and curriculum across schools citywide. Substantial improvements have occurred in the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test scores in grades three through eight since the TEA took control.
“The state took over and intervened in the Houston Independent School District, and the reason is the district was failing academically and in its special ed services,” said Miles in an interview with Fox News Digital. “We have improved this tremendously, and it’s been the largest turnaround in any school district in Texas.”
Scores for 2026 are expected to be released next week.
Houston ISD high schools have also shown significant improvement in core curricular areas, such as math, biology, English, and U.S. history, further suggesting that the New Education System is working to resolve the gap between Houston and the rest of the state.
However, the reforms have not taken place without backlash. Critics from civil rights groups like the United League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the NAACP have argued against the changes, citing the belief that it has taken away power from communities of color.
The ACLU, LULAC, and NAACP have filed complaints against the reforms with the Department of Justice.
Miles acknowledged that he “understand[s] that when you have an outside group, the state, sidelining the elected board and putting in a board of managers, that also draws a lot of concern and anxiety about a process where your elected representatives don’t have the same amount of power and influence.”
Despite the criticism, Gov. Greg Abbott has praised the rising scores coming from Houston ISD, which he links to the reforms.
