Houston ISD students returned to class after spring break to a surprising announcement from Superintendent Mike Miles regarding the performance scores of some of the district’s principals. With uncertainty looming over their heads, over 100 HISD principals were warned that they could be at risk of losing their jobs if there is no improvement in their schools’ performance scores.
The news comes after a recent evaluation where nearly half of the district’s principals were identified as needing to show improvement. These educators, ranging from those with years of experience to newly hired ones, were given a stern warning by Miles that their jobs were on the line if they fail to meet the required standards.
According to documents obtained by the Houston Chronicle, the evaluation process focused on two key aspects – the quality of instruction and student achievement. Classroom observations by an independent review team and mid-year assessment results were used to determine the performance scores of the principals.
A second assessment is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, and those on the list must achieve higher scores to secure their positions. Miles made it clear that the lowest scoring 10% of principals will automatically be removed from their positions.
HISD released a statement reassuring that most instructional leaders are making good progress and are on track to meet performance expectations for the upcoming school year. However, concerns have been raised by Ruth Kravetz, who leads Community Voices for Public Education, about the impact of losing so many principals on the district.
Kravetz expressed worries about the potential negative effects on student learning and well-being if principals are continuously replaced. She also questioned whether some principals may be facing retaliation for not participating in the district’s new school reform program, New Education System (NES).
The evaluation process under Superintendent Mike Miles has been criticized by Kravetz, who called it “junk science” and claimed that it created a hostile environment for principals and teachers. She emphasized the importance of stable leadership in schools for students to succeed.
ABC13 is covering the story closely and will provide updates from the press conference held by Superintendent Mike Miles. For more news updates, follow reporter Charly Edsitty on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
As the situation unfolds, the future of these HISD principals remains uncertain, and the district faces challenges in retaining experienced educational leaders. Critics of the evaluation process hope for a fair and transparent assessment that prioritizes the well-being and success of students in Houston ISD.