In this newsletter: How Miles inflated HISD’s ratings without improving student learning, why the so-called “historic gains” are misleading, and how you can speak up at two key meetings next week.
1. Take Action Next Week
Can you speak up next Wednesday at the first listening session of the Commission on the State Takeover of HISD?
It’s at Trinity Gardens Church of Christ, 7725 Sandra St, at 6 PM. The commission is co-chaired by State Senator Molly Cook, State Rep. Lauren Simmons, and Rev. Colin Bossen, and includes respected national experts such as Domingo Morel, author of Takeover. No RSVP is required.
Also, plan to attend the Thursday, September 11 Board Meeting to continue speaking out for real learning in HISD.
2. The Truth Behind “Historic Gains”
Morath and Miles claim HISD’s ‘historic gains’ are the biggest in U.S. history. That is false. These are not gains in student learning; they’re a blueprint for manipulating ratings. The so-called gains are only 1% higher than the statewide average, hardly meaningful considering the chaos that Miles has created: a mass exodus of strong teachers, declining enrollment, endless test prep, out of control spending.
Most importantly, they do not adequately reflect real student achievement.
Miles boosted STAAR scores and TEA ratings by changing who tests and which classes students take, not by improving education. His tactics include:
- Holding low-scoring students back from tested subjects so their scores don’t count
- Pulling top students out of college-prep classes to inflate averages
- Turning core subjects into nonstop test prep with AI-generated lessons
- Replacing thousands of experienced teachers with untrained hires who are forced to read from an AI-generated script all day and because of their lack of experience have nothing else to fall back on
3. The Impact on Students
- NES 9th graders blocked from standard Biology, pushed into non-tested remedial science. Sure. Scores went up, but our kids lost AP pathways.
- Top 9th graders placed in Physics before Algebra or Geometry so kids who once dreamed of becoming doctors started doubting themselves.
- 8th Grade Algebra gutted at many NES schools, despite the fact that all schools have bright stars who’ve proven they’re ready. Miles forced them into easier math, delaying Algebra until 9th grade just to boost middle and high school ratings. Even Good Reason Houston says Algebra by 8th-grade improves college graduation rates.
- NES English I STAAR testers dropped 27%, but enrollment fell only 12%. Kids aren’t vanishing—they’re being pushed out between October and spring testing.
4. Your Voice Matters
These fake gains come at the expense of real learning. Join us next week to demand better for HISD students.
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