Houston State Officials Statement on Extension of Houston Independent School District Takeover

the senate of the state of texas
The Honorable Molly Cook
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: daphne.alcala@senate.texas.gov
Houston State Officials Statement on Extension of Houston
Independent School District Takeover
AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced a two-year extension of the state
takeover of the Houston Independent School District (HISD). We are angered and disappointed by
this news. The rationale for the state takeover of HISD was flawed from the beginning, and the
results are questionable at best. The A-F ratings used to justify this continued takeover are a
moving goalpost, and other metrics remain unjustified. For the last two years, HISD has been
hemorrhaging students, teachers, and principals with no clear end in sight. Our constituents have
made it clear that they have lost confidence in the direction of the district under Mike Miles. They
continue to feel shut out of key decisions and are deeply concerned about the ongoing
mismanagement and lack of collaboration with school leadership and the community.
In response to the concerning impacts of a continued state takeover of HISD, we each filed
legislation this session: SB 788 (Alvarado), SB 564/HB 2533 (Miles/House Delegation), SB
1764 (Cook). Unfortunately, none of the bills we filed received a hearing, and instead, TEA has
extended its takeover with no end in sight.
It is disingenuous for TEA to extend this takeover and reference exit criteria when no clear metrics
for exit have ever been established. Houston’s teachers, students, and parents deserve transparency
and elected governance that is accountable to their constituents. We will continue to monitor the
situation. As we come home, we will work with our constituents to end the takeover and advocate
for better outcomes for our HISD schools.

Senator Carol Alvarado Senator Molly Cook Senator Borris Miles
Senate District 6 Senate District 15 Senate District 13
Rep. Gene Wu Rep. Ann Johnson Rep. Charlene Ward Johnson
House District 137 House District 134 House District 139
Rep. Jon Rosenthal Rep. Penny Morales Shaw Rep. Jolanda Jones
House District 135 House District 148 House District 147
Rep. Ana Hernandez Rep. Senfronia Thompson Rep. Alma Allen
House District 143 House District 141 House District 131
Rep. Christina Morales Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons Rep. Armando Walle
House District 145 House District 146 House District 140
Rep. Mary Ann Perez Rep. Ron Reynolds
House District 144 House District 27
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