[en español clic aqui] Make learning fun again!

No singing with kindergartners. No inquiry-based learning. No cozy read-aloud. No talking at lunch or in NES hallways. No “get to know you” activities. Students are pulled from rigorous classes just to inflate STAAR scores.

When teachers personalize instruction or build social-emotional skills, administrators are told to rate them “unsatisfactory.” Under Miles’ proposed “pay for performance,” that means lower pay—or termination.

Between the national push to dehumanize education and Miles’ Trump-like policies in Houston ISD, our students are less safe, and award-winning teachers are leaving in droves.

Yes, HISD needed help—more funding, smaller classes, equity-focused policies, and less test prep. Instead, we got a hostile takeover that’s made everything worse.

Last fall, a student died—Miles had cut half of the nurses and failed to fund AED maintenance. Last month, an Afghan student was attacked by other Paul Revere students in the cafeteria. HISD only responded after CAIR intervened. As CAIR-Houston director William White said: “These students came to this country in search of safety and stability—what they endured instead is a complete failure of accountability and compassion.”

The National Association of School Psychologists warns that bullying—and failure to address it—undermines academic success and mental wellness. This applies to teachers, too. Miles has created a culture of fear that extends to students, parents and teachers.

He claims his “pay for performance” plan is “about the children,” yet teachers are penalized for singing to kindergartners or visiting a sick relative. Revered educators are being given their walking papers—some in the middle of the school day. Even Teachers of the Year are being forced out, replaced by uncertified or novice staff. If this week is any sign, far more teachers will be pushed out than Miles admits.

This isn’t reform. It’s destruction masquerading as progress. Miles told the district advisory committee this week that his $126K bonus was 'well deserved, but you would be hard-pressed to find many who agree.

Public frustration is boiling over. Just days ago, an HISD parent Ginny McDavid confronted Superintendent Mike Miles at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Calm but firm, she said:

"I'm an HISD parent. Thanks a lot for ruining our school district. You need to get the hell out of town. Go back to Colorado."

Her words reflect what so many of us are feeling. Enough is enough.

SAVE THE DATES: RSVP at houstoncvpe.org.events

Come check out the Houston Stitching Together anti-takeover art car Saturday at the Art Car Parade (starts at 2 PM), or swing by Allen Parkway beforehand to see all the participating cars up close. The car is #66.

The Board of Managers is meeting this WEDNESDAY (4/16), and sign-up to speak opens by Sunday (4/13) at 5 PM. Speak up for schoolchildren and teachers—in person or on Zoom.

Save the date! Join us for our next in-person general meeting on Saturday, April 19, 12:30-2:30 PM at First Unitarian, 5200 Fannin St.