The Mayor confirmed this week that the takeover of HISD by the state is as soon as Monday.
Whether it is the New Orleans takeover. Philly, Detroit or Newark, takeovers around the country have not worked. The governor’s and commissioner’s plan is to repeat this unholy fixation on accountability and privatization.
For example, the 2022 data about Tennessee’s state takeover district shows mostly disappointing results at improving the schools it took over beginning in 2012. In a recent report about the 27 schools in Tennessee’s takeover Achievement School District (ASD), 88% (24 schools) are still listed in the bottom 5% of schools.
We cannot allow our own children to suffer the same fate. Let’s focus on what works instead- small class size, community schools and fully funding our public schools.
The state says the rationale for the takeover is Wheatley’s low accountability rating and HISD board problems. But times are very different since 2019.
In fact, local control has worked as it’s meant to work. Voters elected an almost entirely new HISD School Board. HISD’s efforts to improve performance at Wheatley paid off. Wheatley was rated “C” in 2022. HISD even outperformed Dallas ISD which has 22 schools on the low-performing list, while HISD only had 9 schools on the list this past year down from 58 in 2015.
Why is the state still using data from five years ago to make its decisions? It seems that this takeover is more about politics and profits than about children.
That's why we're asking you to join over 1300 parents, teachers, students, community members, and elected officials in signing our petition opposing the takeover.
Here are some upcoming events over the next three days. RSVP at houstoncvpe.org/events
- March 3rd 10 am: Press conference about the takeover hosted by the Mayor and other elected officials at Hattie Mae White, 4400 W 18th St.
- March 3rd 4:30 pm : Protest against Governor Desantis outside of George R. Brown Convention Center. Bring a banned book to read at 5pm at a read-a-thon for justice on the sidewalk outside of Hall “C”.
- March 4th: CVPE General Meeting from 1-2:30 pm on zoom. State takeover, lege updates, opt out and info about Lobby Day. RSVP for zoom link.
- March 13th: Education Lobby Day. We will leave from Houston at 7 am and return at around 6:00pm. Limited bus seats are available. If you can caravan, let us know at [email protected].
Sign the petition at houstoncvpe.org. Tell your friends to sign it. Find out which elected officials have signed it. Speak out. There is no time to waste.
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