Strategy ideas for TEA
Regarding “HISD must meet these three strict goals to get out of TEA control,” (March 20): HISD is far from perfect. We all know that. But the voters replaced the problem board and a new superintendent was hired. Together they seem to have been heading in the right direction, so the state needs to adapt their takeover to current conditions.
As a former HISD teacher, parent of three HISD graduates and voter, what I would like to see is a board of managers overseeing the current board and superintendent, helping them improve the district instead of replacing them and fomenting distrust among the HISD stakeholders.
The primary concern facing both HISD and the state is the current one-size-fits-all approach to education in this nation. As a teacher, my daily challenge was adapting the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills regulations to the 30 to 35 individual students sitting in my classes. Some of my students were better with language but struggled with the necessary math. Others were completely the opposite.
The problem is not the students; it is the standardized testing. That is not an HISD problem: that is a Texas Education Agency problem. TEA needs to get its own house in order as well.
Here are some specific suggestions for improving HISD:
• Reduce and reorganize the bloated bureaucracy. Don’t fire anyone, just reassign teachers back to the classroom.
• Figure out how to duplicate the most successful magnet programs in more schools so more students can be served closer to home.
• As magnet programs are expanded, consider creating semi-autonomous sub-districts and limit student movement between them. Sub-districts would allow HISD to continue operating and serving students when certain schools are forced to close due to weather or other events.
HISD can be improved. Let us work together to make it happen. Ernest Davis, Houston
The recent announcement of the TEA takeover of HISD is heartbreaking to me. The students of HISD have in Millard House II a superintendent who will be very, very difficult to replace. It’s painful that the law — or, more precisely, pride — is going to break the momentum that HISD has recently created in turning around this gigantic ship and steering it in the right direction.
I know firsthand the rare leadership and talent that House possesses. I went to elementary school, junior high and high school with Choppa (House’s childhood nickname). We competed for first chair on the drums at Academy Central in Tulsa, Okla., where he started his distinguished career in education. I have admired and followed his career with immense pride. It’s the sole reason why I, living in Oklahoma, subscribed to the Houston Chronicle two years ago, upon his selection as HISD superintendent. The best advice I can offer the TEA for the sake of the students is to retain HISD’s leadership team in a meaningful capacity. You can still follow the law, but you can also be creative and do what’s right.
To Superintendent Millard House II: Thank you. Thank you for your service to HISD. I knew you would lead the district to excellence. You are truly first chair.
Kevin Torrence, Norman, Okla.