Welcome Back! HISD Annual Convocation Celebrates Successes
As the first day of school approaches, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) held its annual convocation at Delmar Fieldhouse. Thousands of teachers, educators, staff members, and administrators gathered to kick off the school year with a celebration of accomplishments and a look ahead at the district’s future.
State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles took to the stage to highlight the successes achieved under his leadership during the past year. He emphasized that the strategies implemented under his guidance will continue to shape the direction of the state’s largest school district.
During the event, performances by students and a presentation by Miles added energy to the gathering. While last year’s convocation drew criticism for a controversial performance involving the superintendent, this year focused more on the positive strides made by the district.
Miles proudly announced that HISD had reduced the number of “D” and “F” rated schools from 121 to 41, while increasing the number of “A” and “B” rated schools from 93 to 170. He attributed this progress to purposeful reforms aimed at supporting teachers and students alike.
Despite the district’s improvements, skepticism lingered among some educators and union leaders. Michelle Williams, President of the Houston Education Association, questioned the data released by Miles, suggesting it was propaganda to distort the truth. She called for a closer examination of the Texas Education Agency’s forthcoming numbers.
Looking ahead, Miles confirmed that HISD will continue to implement his strategies in the upcoming school year, including plans to expand the number of NES schools in the district. While acknowledging challenges faced in his first year as superintendent, Miles expressed commitment to staying the course and driving further progress.
As HISD prepares for the new school year, the district faces 45 teacher vacancies and a decrease of 748 teachers from the previous year. Miles explained that these changes were necessary to uphold performance standards and align staff numbers with evolving enrollment figures.
While Miles did not address questions after the convocation, more information is expected to be shared during an upcoming board meeting. The state is set to release comprehensive data on school performance grades on August 15, offering a complete picture of educational progress in HISD.