Houston’s school system has seen remarkable improvement under Superintendent Mike Miles, with the number of D and F-rated campuses dropping from 121 to 13 in just three years. This is the largest achievement gain in the history of Texas state exams, and it has been achieved through a series of systemic reforms outlined in Miles’ book, By Design, How to Transform School Systems. These reforms include instructional coherence, where teachers across grades align their teaching, and a performance-based pay system that rewards effective educators. Miles emphasizes the importance of condition-setting measures, such as clear accountability and monitoring regimens, and advocates for earned autonomy, where high-performing schools gain more flexibility after meeting specific criteria.
The reforms have also led to a significant narrowing of the minority achievement gap, particularly in middle school math, where the gap between Black and white students has decreased from 38% to 22%, and for Hispanic students, from 30% to 15%. This progress is especially notable given that nationally, the achievement gap has only closed by 2% for Black students in the last 15 years. Miles attributes the success to a focus on systemic change, clear expectations, and a high-performance culture, which have been implemented despite criticism from local media and civil rights groups. He remains committed to improving outcomes for underserved students, who make up a significant portion of the district, and believes that Houston’s reforms offer a blueprint for other urban districts.
Closing the Achievement Gap
One of the most significant achievements is the narrowing of the minority achievement gap. In middle school math, the gap between Black and white students has decreased from 38% to 22%. For Hispanic students, the gap has shrunk from 30% to 15%. These gains are particularly notable given that nationally, the achievement gap has only closed by 2% for Black students in the last 15 years. Houston’s progress suggests that large urban districts can make substantial improvements with the right strategies.
Read Also: Small Schools Make Big Impact
Miles highlights the importance of teaching at grade level, with proper scaffolding and differentiation, to ensure all students receive appropriate instruction. This approach, combined with a focus on instructional coherence and performance-based pay, has been key to closing the gap.
Systemic Reforms and Resistance
Miles emphasizes the importance of condition-setting measures, such as clear accountability and monitoring regimens. He also advocates for earned autonomy, where high-performing schools gain more flexibility after meeting specific criteria. These reforms have faced resistance, particularly in the first year. However, the reforms include a performance-based pay system, which has been successful in retaining effective teachers and raising overall performance.
Miles also stresses the importance of instructional coherence, ensuring that all teachers are aligned in their teaching methods and expectations. This coherence is supported by a strong monitoring regimen, where principals and teachers receive regular feedback and coaching. The district has also implemented an earned autonomy model, allowing high-performing schools to have more flexibility in their operations, which has further incentivized excellence.
Read Also: Australian teen social media ban shows early results
Media and Community Reaction
Despite the progress, local media like the Houston Chronicle have been critical. Miles argues that praising the reforms would be an indictment of the old system, which some stakeholders are reluctant to acknowledge. Civil rights groups have also voiced concerns, though Miles believes the opposition is more about systemic change than race or culture. He remains focused on improving outcomes for underserved students, who make up a significant portion of the district.
The criticism, Miles explains, often stems from a reluctance to acknowledge the failures of the previous system and the need for transformative change. He points out that the media’s failure to highlight successes, such as the narrowing achievement gap and improved school ratings, is a strategic avoidance of indicting the old system. Despite this, Miles remains committed to his vision, emphasizing that the reforms are designed to benefit all students, particularly those who have historically been underserved.
Houston’s reforms offer a blueprint for other urban districts. While challenges remain, the city’s progress shows that significant improvement is possible with bold, systemic changes. Miles’ approach, detailed in his book, provides a full framework for transforming school systems, focusing on instructional coherence, performance-based pay, and earned autonomy. By addressing systemic issues and maintaining a high level of accountability, Houston has achieved remarkable gains in student achievement and equity. The success of these reforms demonstrates that with clear vision, strong leadership, and a commitment to systemic change, even the most challenged school districts can make significant strides in improving educational outcomes for all students.
