How Houston ISD’s New Education System will change schools

After being appointed as head of the district by the Texas Education Agency, Miles selected 28 schools to be a part of the initial group of the NES program, including Kashmere, Wheatley, North Forest high schools, and other campuses that feed into them. 

Miles said he plans to institute the NES program into 150 HISD schools by 2025 under an effort he describes as a “wholesale systematic reform.” The 28 NES schools are in predominately low-income neighborhoods and are set to begin implementing changes in the 2023-2024 school year. 

Under NES, some teachers will be made to reapply for their positions, with increased compensation ranging from $81,000 to $86,000 salary bases as well as a potential $10,000 stipend. Other roles in addition to teachers are eligible for the stipend, including principals, assistant principals, counselors, special education support, among others. 

Employees with a contract with the district will continue their positions, and employees that do not have a current contract could be moved to another HISD campus. 

A “hospital model” will be created in schools making “teacher apprentices” and “learning coaches” work with teachers in classrooms. According to HISD, both positions are listed as support staff and are responsible for preparing and grading instructional work for teachers. Teachers’ sole focus is on instructing students. HISD will also issue a new standard curriculum for reading and math courses.

Additionally, the NES program of a different evaluation system for teachers, which looks at standardized test scores and classroom observations. Miles added that the new evaluation system aims to place effective teachers in high-need schools. 

NES schools hours will also change from 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for before and after-school care. HISD campuses can be designated as “NES” and “NES-aligned”—affiliations ultimately decided by campus principals. In a watered-down version, NES-aligned schools will also be given a uniform curriculum and a new employee evaluation system but not the initial salary increase ahead of the next school year.

Miles said he plans to pay for NES salary increases and other costs by eliminating support staff and positions in the district. Friday afternoon, in a restructuring effort, Miles announced around 500 to 600 jobs would be cut from the district’s central office. Miles said those jobs comprise 30 percent of the district workforce, with a portion of those positions already vacant. Additionally, 40 positions would be cut from the district human resources office. Miles said impacted HISD employees have already been notified and that more position cuts are expected in the next few weeks. 

The superintendent has planned many family events throughout the summer to explain his plans for the district. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11, at 6 p.m. at Pugh Elementary School at 1147 Kress St.