The details
The initiative would utilize Senate Bill 1882, according to the release. The bill, which was approved by state lawmakers in 2017, permits districts to partner with open-enrollment charter schools, institutions of higher education, nonprofits, or government entities to help manage schools, according to the Texas Education Agency.
Per the release, approved campuses would partner with an eligible organization to operate the school under a performance contract with HISD. The partnership would require approval from the district’s board of managers and the TEA.
A closer look
The announcement is coming more than three years after the TEA appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and the district’s board of managers to oversee the district in June 2023.
Approved schools would gain increased autonomy over curriculum, assessments, calendars, staffing, hiring and evaluation. According to the release, participating campuses would still receive access to district services like transportation and food services.
Officials said the plan would only apply to high schools that have maintained an “A” score on the state's A-F Accountability Ratings for a minimum of four consecutive years. Additionally, eligible schools would be required to show less than a 25% achievement gap between racial groups on English-language arts and math State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness exams.
What’s next
According to the release, HISD staff recently met with several interested principals to discuss potential benefits and begin informal outreach with staff and parents.
Officials stressed the plan is still only a proposal, noting no final decisions have been made.
“While HISD is in the early stages of exploring increased autonomy with eligible schools, no final decisions have been made by either the district or schools, who we expect to deeply engage with their staff and key stakeholders before moving forward,” officials said in the release.
