The Texas Education Agency’s takeover of Houston ISD in 2026 marked a significant shift in the state’s educational landscape. Under the leadership of appointed superintendent Mike Milesthe district implemented sweeping reforms aimed at boosting student outcomes. These changes, which include prescribed lesson plansstrict classroom managementand frequent assessmentshave become a model for other districts facing similar challenges.
As these reforms gain traction, education reporter Nusaiba Mizan of the Houston Chronicle notes that districts like Fort Worth ISD and San Antonio ISD are taking notice. “All of these districts have schools that are lowly rated in the state’s A-through-F accountability rating system,” Mizan explains. “They’re seeking to improve their schools and receive higher ratings.”
The Spread of HISD-Inspired Reforms
The influence of HISD’s reforms is evident in several districts that have begun hiring former HISD officials to lead their own educational transformations. Beaumont ISDLake Worth ISDand Fort Worth ISD are among the districts embracing this approach. Fort Worth ISD, recently taken over by the state, has launched a new program called ELEVATEdirected by former HISD official and current Deputy Superintendent Daniel Soliz.
The ELEVATE program mirrors the structured teaching model introduced by Miles in HISD. “The program is focused on Fort Worth’s F-rated and certain D-rated schools,” Mizan says. “That includes putting more staff into classrooms and to have an instructional model that’s similar to HISD, where they teach through a lesson. For certain students who need additional instruction, they’ll have to reteach.”
Turnaround Partnerships: A New Approach
Another method through which HISD-inspired reforms are spreading is via turnaround partnerships. This approach, stemming from a 2017 state law, allows school districts to partner with outside organizations to outsource daily operations. “A school district can partner with an outside organization — such as a nonprofit, a charter management organization, another higher education academic institution — to outsource its daily operations to that organization,” Mizan explains. “That comes in the form of a contract for a certain number of years and to meet certain accountability standards during those years.”
Several districts are planning to partner with Third Future Schoolsa charter school network founded by Mike Miles. “Under these reforms, HISD has seen increases in school ratings and no F-rated schools,” Mizan notes. “These reforms could help other districts increase school ratings.”
Controversies and Challenges
Despite the potential benefits, the reforms are not without controversy. Mizan highlights some of the drawbacks pointed out by Houston community members, such as high teacher turnover and the perceived rigidity of prescribed lessons. “In some communities, members have also pointed to the prescribed lessons as too rigid for students and teachers,” Mizan says.
Back in Houston ISD, the district plans to continue with the existing reforms while introducing new programs in the coming school year. Initiatives like the Kinder Bridge programaimed at improving reading between kindergarten and first grade, and schools focusing on experiential learning are set to launch. “It is also rolling out schools that focus on what they’re calling experiential learning — hands-on experiences for schools as preparation for what the district is calling a world that is ubiquitous with AI,” Mizan explains.
The future of these reforms hinges largely on the ratings of the districts. “A district must meet certain standards in order to maintain its democratically elected board and local control,” Mizan concludes. As the educational landscape in Texas continues to evolve, the impact of these reforms will be closely watched by educators, policymakers, and communities alike.