CASE Report: Miles Reflects on Bond Results

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Miles Reflects on Bond Election

Mike Miles recently sat down with KPRC to react to the HISD bond election results and forecast the next steps for the district. Although not the desired result, Superintendent Miles’ comments signal his resoluteness about continuing forward and accomplishing the goals of the TEA intervention.

Check out Click2Houston’s full story here.

Why it matters: The bond election results have no effect on whether the intervention ends or whether Miles is the superintendent, but they do affect teachers’ and students’ abilities to teach, learn, and stay safe.

Superintendent Miles’ focus is on improving student achievement, despite HISD’s dilapidated facilities. Miles predicts “We’re going to have just as good a year educationally as we did last year.”

By the numbers: Proposition A would have allocated $3.96 billion to renovate, rebuild, and expand aging school facilities across the district.

Proposition B would have allowed the district to purchase $440 million in bonds for technology improvements, including updating equipment, systems, and infrastructure to enhance the district’s digital capabilities.

Both propositions failed by margins of 58% to 42%.

What they’re saying: Superintendent Miles said, “I don’t know if the opposition is going to claim victory. And if they do, I hope they do their victory lap around Bonham Elementary School and all the trailers and the poor air conditioning units…”

What’s next: Miles said it was unclear when another bond could be introduced, noting how recent the election was. However, Miles reiterated that “Our kids deserve better facilities” and that the district would continue to strive toward improving student achievement.

HISD Tackles Chronic Absenteeism

There is a significant amount of research demonstrating the relationship between student attendance and student achievement: the better the attendance, the better the outcomes ( TEA’s Whitepaper ).

Chronic absenteeism, or missing more than 10% of school days, is a major problem nationwide. Chronic absenteeism also affects economically disadvantaged students more acutely than their non-disadvantaged counterparts, which can exacerbate achievement gaps. The pandemic certainly didn’t help either as chronic absenteeism has skyrocketed since 2020 and has yet to stabilize ( Brookings ).

HISD Superintendent Mike Miles has some plans for improving attendance, and he recently sat down with Houston Public Media to talk about these potential solutions, including revamping curriculum and ensuring pathways to real-world success.

HPM’s full article is here.

Why it matters: Schools are competing with low-skill, low-wage jobs that can entice students to leave school early in order to enter the workforce. According to Miles, students need to understand the value in getting a diploma, which means that schools must do a better job of providing explaining the value proposition and providing engaging, worthwhile courses.

By the numbers: In 2021, nearly 30% of America’s students were chronically absent, meaning they missed at least 10% of class time.

Go deeper: One way HISD is engaging students is with innovative courses like Art of Thinking, a 90-minute class taken three times a week at 130 schools, focuses on information literacy, critical thinking and problem solving. The class is offered to students as early as third grade. By providing courses that students can use in their everyday lives, students stay engaged and interested in school.

What they’re saying:"In order for HISD and also the profession to turn around chronic absenteeism or to really diminish it, kids need to see that schools have some value add,” Miles said. “That it's worth their time to be in school every day and also to finish school.”

HISD Announces Chevron Partnership

HISD has announced a new partnership with Chevron to enhance Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming within the District.

The Austin High School Maritime Studies program, in association with Port of Houston Partnership in Maritime Education, is one of four new innovative programs of study within HISD’s CTE offerings. Students will learn to use state-of-the-art simulation equipment, gain professional certifications, and develop skills to help them obtain high-paying careers in the maritime industry. This partnership will include guest lectures, mentorship opportunities with industry experts, and workforce development.

Check out the district’s full writeup here.

Why it matters: One of the metrics the TEA will use to determine whether HISD can return to elected control is school ratings. Since school ratings factor in CTE success, this new partnership will maintain HISD’s trajectory toward a return to self-governance.

The partnership will also support the regional economy by strengthening talent pipelines that Chevron and other companies can recruit from.

As more and more students explore opportunities outside of traditional secondary school-to-university pathways, these skills-based programs are becoming increasingly attractive to students.

What they’re saying: “By aligning our CTE programs with industry needs, we’re ensuring students have a direct pathway to rewarding careers in fields like maritime and shipping. This partnership is about giving our students real-world experience and opportunities that position them well after graduation.” - Superintendent Miles

The bottom line: Houston is the global leader in energy and innovative partnerships like these will ensure Houston maintains that position well into the future.

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