Vantaggi
It used to be a decent district. It used to have adequate support systems in place. It used to focus on the whole child. It used to value wrap around services, counselors, and librarians.
Svantaggi
After the hostile takeover by the TEA, the state appointed uncertified superintendent and his hand-selected Board of managers have systematically been destroying the district. It is a toxic work environment, where F. Mike Miles has created a culture of fear and top-down bullying. The pressure and anxiety on principals and teachers is unhealthy and unsustainable. He is driving away the best and most experienced educators in order to put in compliant, inexperienced uncertified teachers who will bend to his will without question. He has taken the joy and creativity out of teaching and learning. His one-size-fits-all approach does not meet the needs of all learners, and his militaristic style of management makes the schools feel like prisons. Students have noticed the changes and have been greatly affected by it. The evaluation systems are flawed and inconsistent, the mandated curriculum is riddled with errors, not at all in line with research-based best practices, and not engaging at all. Due to his mishandling of the budget, he is cutting much needed positions left and right, all after he increased the number of central office administrators who make over 200K by 300%. While HISD is under the mismanagement of TEA, I would not recommend it. And the most troubling thing, is that it is our children who are suffering the most and who will pay the ultimate price of receiving a low quality education, setting them up for lower economic and fewerr academic opportunities later in life.