Tag Archives: Mike Morath

TEA clears Third Future Schools

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Some good news for Mike Miles. The Texas Education Agency’s investigation into alleged misuse of state funds concluded Third Future Schools — a Colorado-based charter school network founded by Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles — did not violate any Texas laws. The investigation also … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged charter schools, Colorado, deficit, HISD, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, New Education System, schools, Texas, Texas Education Agency, The Lege, Third Future Schools | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: The Chron gets on the “no trust, no bond” train

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. The students of HISD shouldn’t have to worry if traces of lead are seeping into the water, past the district’s jerry-rigged mitigation efforts. Or whether a troubled individual with a semi-automatic can slip past a lack of fencing and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged Board of Managers, bond referendum, bonds, Election 2024, endorsements, HISD, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, Texas Education Agency | 2 Comments

The students are leaving and they’re not coming back

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Down, down, down… Houston ISD is on track in 2024-25 to see its largest single-year enrollment loss since the pandemic, with the majority of student departures coming from campuses overhauled under a controversial new model implemented by state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles. Records … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged budget, HISD, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, schools, STAAR, Texas Education Agency | 3 Comments

HISD releases its accountability ratings

Posted on August 21, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Here they are. About half of Houston ISD schools saw their state-issued accountability rating jump by one or more letter grades this year, a dramatic improvement in scores following a turbulent first year under state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles. HISD released … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged HISD, lawsuit, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, New Education System, schools, STAAR, standardized testing, Texas, Texas Education Agency | Comments Off

The Miles exodus continues

Posted on August 20, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Brutal. Sarah Malik used to think Houston ISD’s Lantrip Elementary School was a great fit for her daughter. But after the state takeover of the district in June 2023, Malik said the environmental science magnet school in Eastwood, which they … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged HISD, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, schools, STAAR, Texas Education Agency | 1 Comment

Accountability ratings release halted

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Welp. A Travis County judge has blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing its ratings of the state’s school districts and campuses for a second year in a row. Judge Karin Crump on Monday issued a temporary restraining order after … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters, School days | Tagged HISD, lawsuit, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, STAAR, standardized testing, Texas, Texas Education Agency, The Lege, Travis County | 1 Comment

HISD approves the bond referendum for November

Posted on August 9, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I expect there will be some vigorous campaigning over this. I’ll be very interested to see how much money gets raised and spent. Houston ISD will ask voters in November to pass the biggest school bond package in Texas history, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024, School days | Tagged Board of Managers, bond referendum, bonds, Community Voices for Public Education, CTE centers, Election 2024, HISD, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, Rolando Martinez, Texas Education Agency | 3 Comments

HISD reports significant drop in D and F-rated campuses

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This is very good news. Houston ISD state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles said Wednesday that the number of the district’s schools that earned a D or F rating in the Texas Education Agency’s accountability ratings dropped by about two-thirds compared to … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Board of Managers, HISD, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, schools, STAAR, standardized testing, Texas Education Agency | 12 Comments

Are we really gonna take this show on the road?

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Color me skeptical. The seismic changes seen by Monsiváis’ son and the 180,000-plus students throughout HISD this school year are the result of the most dramatic state takeover of a school district in American history, a grand experiment that could … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Board of Managers, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Michelle Rhee, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, New Education System, Placido Gomez, school finance, schools, STAAR, Sue Deigaard, Texas, Texas Education Agency, The Lege | 1 Comment

On the bonds and closing or not closing schools

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This is a very complicated issue. Two decades ago, children crowded the halls of Houston ISD’s Attucks and Cullen middle schools, historic campuses located two miles apart on the city’s south side. Since then, hundreds of families have fled the … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Board of Managers, bond referendum, bonds, Election 2024, Grenita Lathan, HISD, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, Millard House, schools, Texas Education Agency | 9 Comments

A closer look at the HISD bond proposal

Posted on June 9, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

From the Houston Landing, which put together five highlights from the proposal. 1. Elementary and middle schools to see the biggest upgrades All schools will see some level of investment under the bond plan, but elementary and middle schools will … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024, School days | Tagged Board of Managers, bond referendum, bonds, Community Voices for Public Education, construction, Election 2024, HFT, HISD, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, pre-kindergarten, schools, Texas Education Agency | 26 Comments

HISD reports improvements on high school end of course exams

Posted on June 7, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Good. More Houston ISD students met or exceeded grade level on the English I, English II, Algebra I and biology end-of-course exams that are required for high school graduation, according to figures released by the district. HISD saw a 3 … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Board of Managers, high school, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, schools, STAAR, standardized testing, Texas Education Agency | 1 Comment

One year of the HISD takeover

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

It’s been a year since HISD was officially taken over. Where do we stand on the things that matter, the schools’ and students’ performances? Early data is mostly positive, with a lot of caveats. According to early data, HISD appears … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Board of Managers, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, schools, STAAR, Texas Education Agency | 3 Comments

HISD asks for $4.4 billion in bonds

Posted on June 2, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

That sure is a lot. Houston ISD unveiled a $4.4 billion bond proposal, the largest in HISD history and likely the largest package any Texas school district has taken to voters. Much of the bond, $2.05 billion, would go to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024, School days | Tagged Al Green, Board of Managers, bond referendum, bonds, charter schools, Colorado, Community Voices for Public Education, Election 2024, HFT, HISD, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, NAACP, Ron Reynolds, schools, Sylvia Garcia, Texas Education Agency, Third Future Schools | 7 Comments

A holiday weekend HISD roundup

Posted on May 25, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This will be a basic linkdump. I’ll start here. The Houston ISD Board of Managers appears to have moved forward late Thursday with the termination of Herod Elementary School Principal Jessica Berry, who declined to resign in the district’s recent … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Board of Managers, bond referendum, Election 2024, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, New Education System, schools, Texas Education Agency | 2 Comments

Is anyone still defending Mike Miles?

Posted on May 24, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Anna Eastman is out. As a former Houston ISD parent and school board member, I initially encouraged Houstonians to be open to the state takeover and its potential benefits for our kids. I know firsthand that many things in HISD … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Anna Eastman, Board of Managers, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, New Education System, Texas Education Agency | 8 Comments

City Council versus HISD

Posted on May 21, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I doubt they can do anything, but I’m happy to watch them try. One year after the state takeover of Houston Independent School District, some City Council members are urging Mayor John Whitmire to take a more proactive approach in … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics, School days | Tagged Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Edward Pollard, HISD, Houston, Houston City Council, John Whitmire, Letitia Plummer, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, Sallie Alcorn, Tarsha Jackson, Texas Education Agency, Tiffany Thomas | 12 Comments

More on the improper use of funds allegations against Mike Miles

Posted on May 16, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Other outlets are on this now. A state lawmaker and Houston teachers are calling for Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles to be investigated after a Spectrum News report revealed that millions in Texas public school tax dollars may … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Ana Hernandez, budget, charter schools, Christina Morales, Colorado, deficit, Gene Wu, HFT, HISD, Houston, Jackie Anderson, Jarvis Johnson, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, Molly Cook, New Education System, Paul Colbert, Penny Shaw, schools, Texas, Texas Education Agency, The Lege, Third Future Schools | 4 Comments

A “WTF, HISD?” roundup

Posted on May 15, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Expect more protests later this week. Houston ISD families plan to protest Saturday morning near City Hall as word of forced principal and teacher departures rip through campuses as the end of the first year since state takeover approaches. Community … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Board of Managers, budget, charter schools, Colorado, deficit, Greg Abbott, HISD, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, New Education System, Paul Colbert, school finance, school libraries, schools, Texas, Texas Education Agency, The Lege, Third Future Schools, vouchers | 4 Comments

Multiple schools protest Mike Miles

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

The people are angry. Roughly 200 parents and students started their day protesting in front of Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, one of many Houston ISD campuses sent into turmoil last week with news that their principal was … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Board of Managers, budget, deficit, Election 2026, Greg Abbott, HISD, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, New Education System, schools, Texas Education Agency, The Lege | 3 Comments

Book ban law stays blocked

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Key portions of a law signed last year by Gov. Greg Abbott requiring booksellers to rate books for sexual content when selling to schools will not go into effect after the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday declined … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged American Booksellers Association, Angela Paxton, Association of American Publishers, Authors Guild, Blue Willow Bookshop, BookPeople, Books, censorship, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Election 2024, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, HD106, Jared Patterson, Keven Ellis, lawsuit, Martha Wong, Mike Morath, SBOE, school libraries, SCOTUS, SD08, Texas, Texas Education Agency, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, The Lege | 1 Comment

So what is HISD going to do with this bond proposal?

Posted on April 13, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I have no idea. I’m not sure they have any idea, either. Houston ISD officials are considering asking taxpayers to approve a multibillion-dollar bond in November, but Superintendent Mike Miles’ administration has yet to go through a widely used process … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024, School days | Tagged Board of Managers, bond referendum, bonds, Election 2024, HISD, Houston, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, schools, Texas Education Agency | 5 Comments

Several Dem legislators want to investigate HISD

Posted on April 9, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see if this goes anywhere. Several Houston-area Democratic legislators are calling for a formal hearing to address “potential violations of state law” in Houston ISD in the aftermath of the Texas Education Agency stripping elected leaders from the school … Continue reading →

Posted in School days, That's our Lege | Tagged Ann Johnson, Board of Managers, Christina Morales, Gene Wu, HISD, Houston, Hubert Vo, Jarvis Johnson, Jon Rosenthal, Mary Ann Perez, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, New Education System, Penny Shaw, schools, Shawn Thierry, Texas, Texas Education Agency, The Lege | Comments Off

Fifth Circuit upholds injunction in book rating lawsuit

Posted on January 18, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Good news. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday blocked a new Texas law that requires bookstores to rate books for sexual content and prohibits any deemed “sexually explicit” from the state’s public schools. A panel of three judges … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged American Booksellers Association, Angela Paxton, Association of American Publishers, Authors Guild, Blue Willow Bookshop, BookPeople, Books, censorship, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Election 2024, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, HD106, Jared Patterson, Keven Ellis, lawsuit, Martha Wong, Mike Morath, SBOE, school libraries, SD08, Texas, Texas Education Agency, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, The Lege | 3 Comments

Whitmire’s approach to HISD

Posted on January 14, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

It’s on brand, I’ll say that. Mayor John Whitmire met Monday with Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath to reaffirm his support for Houston ISD’s appointed leadership, signaling a new approach from City Hall toward the state’s stewardship of the district … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics, School days | Tagged Board of Managers, Election 2023, HISD, Houston, John Whitmire, Mayor, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, New Education System, Robert Sanborn, schools, Sylvester Turner, Texas Education Agency | Comments Off

Fifth Circuit has its book rating lawsuit hearing

Posted on December 3, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

It looks like it might have…gone well? I am cautiously hopeful. Federal appellate judges Wednesday questioned a new Texas law requiring book sellers to rate the explicitness and relevance of sexual references in materials they sell to schools, though it … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged American Booksellers Association, Angela Paxton, Association of American Publishers, Authors Guild, Blue Willow Bookshop, BookPeople, Books, censorship, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Election 2024, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, HD106, Jared Patterson, Keven Ellis, lawsuit, Martha Wong, Mike Morath, SBOE, school libraries, SD08, Texas, Texas Education Agency, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, The Lege | 1 Comment

Whitmire and SJL on the HISD mess

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, the Mayor has basically no direct influence on HISD, but it’s an issue people care about and the Mayor can certainly make it a point of focus. So what do our two Mayoral runoff candidates have to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged Board of Managers, Election 2023, Harold Dutton, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, John Whitmire, Mayor, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, runoff, Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas Education Agency, The Lege | 1 Comment

Two more HISD stories

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Houston ISD’s elected board currently has no power. People ran for the trustee posts anyway. Two incumbents, Dani Hernandez and Patricia Allen, maintained their seats Tuesday, both winning reelection easily against a sole challenger. Meanwhile, two incoming trustees, Savant Moore … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023, School days | Tagged Board of Managers, Dani Hernandez, Election 2023, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Judith Cruz, Kathy Blueford Daniels, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, Patricia Allen, Placido Gomez, Savant Moore, Texas Education Agency | Comments Off

Do unto public schools as you would not do to charter schools

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Infuriating, but hardly surprising. In June, Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath embarked on the largest school takeover in recent history, firing the governing board and the superintendent of the Houston Independent School District after one of its more than … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged charter, Eastex-Jensen Neighborhood School, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Mike Morath, Paul Bettencourt, SBOE, schools, Texas, Texas Education Agency, The Lege, vouchers | Comments Off

Another federal complaint filed against HISD

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Two and counting. The Greater Houston Coalition of Justice has filed a complaint to the federal government alleging that Texas education authorities created a hostile workplace in Houston ISD by installing Mike Miles as superintendent and replacing the district’s elected … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters, School days | Tagged Board of Managers, Civil Rights Act, EEOC, Greater Houston Coalition for Justice, Greg Abbott, HISD, Houston, Johnny Mata, Mike Morath, Texas, Texas Education Agency, US Department of Education | Comments Off

HISD releases its special education plan

Posted on October 8, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see. Houston ISD’s administration rolled out a long-anticipated list of fixes to its special education programs Thursday, unveiling plans aimed at rectifying the district’s persistent problems with serving students with disabilities. In a presentation to HISD’s state-appointed school board, … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Angela Flowers, Board of Managers, Gina Hinojosa, HISD, Houston, Houston Special Education Parents Association, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, schools, special education, Texas Education Agency | Comments Off

Two book ban updates

Posted on September 28, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Bad news. A state law banning “sexually explicit” books from Texas schools will now go into effect, after an appeals court temporarily blocked a lower court ruling. The three-judge panel did not offer any reasoning. Their decision is temporary until … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Legal matters | Tagged American Booksellers Association, Angela Paxton, Association of American Publishers, Authors Guild, Blue Willow Bookshop, BookPeople, Books, censorship, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Dawn Champagne, Election 2024, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, HD106, Jared Patterson, Katy, Katy ISD, Keven Ellis, lawsuit, libraries, Martha Wong, Mike Morath, Rebecca Fox, SBOE, school libraries, schools, SD08, Texas, Texas Education Agency, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, The Lege, Victor Perez | Comments Off

Book ban lawsuit opinion released

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a strong one, not that that will mean anything to the troglodyte nihilists at the Fifth Circuit. In temporarily blocking enforcement of a new Texas law that limits books with sexual content in school libraries, a federal judge called … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Legal matters | Tagged American Booksellers Association, Angela Paxton, Association of American Publishers, Authors Guild, Blue Willow Bookshop, BookPeople, Books, censorship, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Election 2024, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, HD106, Jared Patterson, Keven Ellis, lawsuit, Martha Wong, Mike Morath, SBOE, school libraries, SD08, Texas, Texas Education Agency, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, The Lege | 6 Comments

Book rating law blocked

Posted on September 2, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Good. A federal judge said Thursday he will stop a new Texas law aimed at keeping sexually explicit materials off of school library shelves on the eve of the law going into effect, according to state attorneys and lawyers for … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Legal matters | Tagged American Booksellers Association, Angela Paxton, Association of American Publishers, Authors Guild, Blue Willow Bookshop, BookPeople, Books, censorship, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Election 2024, HD106, Jared Patterson, Keven Ellis, lawsuit, Martha Wong, Mike Morath, SBOE, school libraries, SD08, Texas, Texas Education Agency, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, The Lege | 1 Comment

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