HOUSTON — On Wednesday state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles touted successes under the first year of his leadership for HISD and affirmed his strategies will continue for the state’s largest school district.
The first day of school is just around the corner for HISD students, and on Wednesday, district leaders gathered to celebrate its accomplishments since the state takeover during the annual convocation.
Thousands of teachers, educators, staff members and administrators packed Delmar Fieldhouse for the event, featuring performances from students and a presentation by Miles.
Last year, HISD Superintendent Mike Miles received backlash for participating in a performance that some said was in poor taste. This year, Miles did not perform with students, but he did tout the progress made during the first year of his leadership.
"In this last year, you did the impossible and made the largest achievement gains in the history of HISD," Miles said.
Miles said state data showed the district reduced the number of "D" and "F" rated schools from 121 to 41 while also increasing the number of "A" and "B" rated schools from 93 to 170.
"This isn't magic, this isn't by accident,” Miles said. “The reforms we put in place were very purposeful to help you and to help our kids.”
Houston Teachers Union leaders expressed skepticism over the date and called the announcement propaganda aimed at hiding the truth. They said that last year's changes led to significant staff departures, friction over classroom guidance and other issues that prompted calls for Miles' departure.
Houston Education Association President Michelle Williams expressed skepticism of the data in a social media post on Wednesday.
"I want to see TEA's numbers," Williams said. "Why is he releasing numbers ahead of (Texas Education Agency’s) Aug. 15 release date? This is just more propaganda to distort the truth."
Miles’ first year of leadership was marred by criticism, pushback on his strategies, staff departures and more issues that prompted calls for him to leave.
In a newsletter sent after the convocation, Miles said the district has 45 teacher vacancies left to fill and will start the year with 748 fewer teachers than last year -- a decrease he said is there because it is "sometimes necessary to remove some educators for performance" as he works to implement his changes as well as adjusting staff numbers at schools with lower enrollment.
Miles made it clear that his strategies will continue in the upcoming school year, including expanding the number of NES schools in the district.
"We will stay the course," Miles said near the conclusion of the convocation.
Miles didn't answer questions after the convocation but more information is expected to be released during a board meeting later this week.
The state is expected to release the full data on school performance grades on Aug. 15.