HISD Superintendent Mike Miles on STAAR Exam Success and District Turnaround

STAAR Exam Results: A "Houston Comeback"

• 🚀 The headline for HISD's STAAR exam results is "our kids and our teachers did great," marking a significant turnaround for the district.
• 💡 HISD has returned to and surpassed prior COVID-19 results for end-of-course (EOC) exams, except for US History, indicating a strong academic recovery.
• 📈 Over the past two years of intervention, HISD has seen great growth in student achievement, particularly in reading and math, with more students performing at grade level.

Academic Growth and State Comparisons

• 📊 In 2023, HISD was significantly behind state averages across all 20 exams, with 121 D and F schools.
• ✨ After two years, HISD has shown unprecedented growth relative to the state, with substantial point improvements in subjects like Algebra and Biology.
• 🎯 HISD is now above the state average in several key subjects, including Algebra and Biology, a stark contrast to its previous position far behind.
• 📈 For 3rd-8th grade exams, HISD has also made significant gains, now leading the state average in four out of six math exams for elementary and middle school.

Impact on Student Livelihoods

• 🔑 Improved academic outcomes, especially in 8th-grade reading and Algebra 1, are directly linked to future job prospects and livable wages.
• ⚠️ A previous report highlighted that only 17% of HISD graduates from 2017 were earning a livable wage six years later, underscoring the importance of current academic improvements.
• 🌟 The focus on rigorous instruction and improved reading and math skills aims to equip students for the high-wage, high-skilled jobs of the future.

Systemic Reform and Instructional Quality

• 🛠️ The academic gains are attributed to a whole-scale systemic reform rather than a single initiative, with a strong focus on the quality of instruction.
• 🧠 HISD has tightly integrated curriculum and instruction, ensuring teachers are trained, receive feedback, and deliver more engaging and effective lessons.
• 🤝 The district is committed to closing achievement gaps for all student demographics, with black and brown students showing significant progress and closing the gap with their peers and the state average.

Future Outlook and Accountability

• 📉 HISD has moved from 121 D and F campuses to 41 in one year, with expectations for further improvement in accountability ratings.
• 💰 The district has sustainably managed its budget, decreasing deficits and maintaining a healthy fund balance to support ongoing reforms like the NES (New Education System) schools.
• 👏 Superintendent Miles emphasized that these achievements are worthy of applause for students and teachers and represent a significant accomplishment not seen in other large urban districts.