Houston ISD Sees Mixed Results in Latest Texas Education Agency Ratings
Houston ISD has seen four elementary schools receive an 'F' rating from the Texas Education Agency, a shift from the previous year. Despite this, the district highlights an overall increase in 'A' and 'B' rated schools, including historically struggling high…
Houston, TX, August 14, 2026 —
Houston Independent School District (HISD) is navigating a complex landscape of academic performance as revealed by the latest Texas Education Agency (TEA) ratings. While the district reported an overall increase in schools earning ‘A’ and ‘B’ grades, four elementary schools have unfortunately been assigned an ‘F’ rating, a decline from the previous year.
Despite the challenges at the elementary level, HISD leadership pointed to significant improvements in other areas. Notably, historically underperforming high schools such as Wheatley High School and Northside High School have achieved ‘A’ ratings. This suggests a broader district-wide effort toward academic elevation.
Superintendent Mike Miles addressed public and internal concerns regarding the integrity of school ratings and student course enrollment practices. Specifically, questions were raised about potential manipulation of ratings and the enrollment of students in Algebra I. Miles has stated the district is committed to transparent and accurate reporting.
The district’s special education services have also come under scrutiny. Superintendent Miles asserted that parents are satisfied with new ‘hub’ configurations designed to support students with special needs. However, the TEA has voiced concerns, flagging potential violations of federal law related to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and student placement changes. The specifics of these concerns and the potential scope of violations were not detailed.
The TEA’s evaluation process assesses schools and districts on various accountability measures, including academic achievement, school progress, and closing the achievement gap. The ‘F’ ratings for the four elementary schools indicate significant deficiencies in these areas, prompting further review and intervention strategies from the district. The ‘A’ ratings for Wheatley and Northside High Schools, conversely, signal substantial progress and commendation for their academic performance and student success initiatives.
Further details regarding the specific reasons for the ‘F’ ratings at the elementary schools and the exact nature of the TEA’s concerns about special education services have not been publicly disclosed. HISD has stated its commitment to addressing all areas of concern raised by the TEA and ensuring compliance with all federal and state educational mandates.
Story summarized from the original created by Margaret Downing on www.houstonpress.com, see more information here.
