The State Takeover of Houston Schools is Bad for the Children and for the City By Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner

It has been several weeks since the Texas Education Agency announced it would take over the Houston Independent School District. I am still convinced this was the wrong decision.  While I do not have authority over the schools as mayor, I deeply care about the students. I often visit campuses and take time to read to elementary children or talk to high school students about their futures.

The TEA process needs more community engagement and transparency. It is disheartening that the state waited to speak with the community until it announced its ill-advised decision to the media. The announcement happened during spring break, creating significant disruption, anxiety, and stress.

 The state’s decision to take over the largest school district in Texas does not make any sense. And if the focus is on the kids, then you tell me how this benefits the kids. The TEA is selecting the board of managers. If the state wants to grade schools for academic performance, it should also receive a grade. The state deserves an F on how they have handled the process up to this point.

Superintendent Millard House and the school board of trustees made significant process. Under their leadership, 40 of 50 former D or F-rated schools are in a much better status today. I give great credit to the teachers and students at Wheatley High School. You don’t reward success by penalizing not just that school, but you’re taking over 275 other schools as well.

 This takeover is not about the quality of education. If you look at the Texas Legislature, several bills have been filed to pre-empt the authority of the City of Houston and other local jurisdictions. HISD happens to be one of those local jurisdictions.

There is no example of a successful takeover by the state of a local school the size of HISD. A report by the Kinder Institute said the school district’s status is worse after a school takeover. So, by what standard should we measure TEA? Is the agency saying to teachers and parents that after this takeover, there will be no failing schools in HISD, none?

The TEA chose the superintendent long before the state started community meetings, and they decided behind closed doors without input from me, parents, teachers, or taxpayers. This process needs more transparency with community engagement.

As mayor, I know this decision is about Austin and the leadership in Austin wanting to run local government, and they want it their way. This takeover is not about the kids, and the sad part is that they are using the kids for their own politics.