HISD MAY HAVE PASSED THE POINT OF NO RETURN

 

HISD MAY HAVE PASS THE POINT OF NO RETURN:
Jules Williams
5/18/2024
The Children First report on the Houston Independent School District (HISD) conducted by the Texas School Performance Review reveals a complex picture of challenges and potential within the district. While the report acknowledges the dedication of many educators and staff to putting children first, it also highlights significant areas of dysfunction that need to be addressed. Here are the key problems identified in the report:

In 2022 I produced a 32-page report entitled Environmental Factors that Affect Learning in Schools.  HISD has largely ignored its mandate, that of educating the district’s children.

Mismanagement and Bureaucracy: The report suggests streamlining the central bureaucracy by eliminating non-teaching positions and retooling board policies to reduce micromanagement. There's a concern that administrative inefficiencies may be hindering effective decision-making and resource allocation.

Financial Irresponsibility: The report points out financial issues such as paying teachers not to teach and concerns about the management of the district's financial investments. Additionally, there's a mention of delinquent school taxes that may be going uncollected, indicating potential revenue losses for the district.
Nepotism and Favoritism: There are hints of nepotism and favoritism in the selection of staff and the allocation of resources, which could undermine the fair and equitable operation of the district.
Student Neglect and Poor Retention: Despite the dedication of many educators, there are indications of student neglect and poor retention rates. Dropout rates are mentioned as being higher than the statewide average, indicating potential issues with student engagement and support.
Deplorable Facilities: The report implies that facilities may be in a state of disrepair or inadequacy, which could impact on the learning environment and student well-being.
Poor Retention of Staff: In addition to student retention issues, the report suggests that there may be challenges in retaining staff, including custodial and technical crafts workers. This could be indicative of broader morale or job satisfaction issues within the district.

Communication and Public Relations: There's a recommendation to reduce the size of the communications and public relations staff and shift their focus from image-building to providing clear and accurate public information. This suggests that there may be concerns about transparency and communication effectiveness within the district.

Overall, the report paints a picture of a district facing significant challenges in various areas, including governance, finance, staffing, facilities, and communication. Addressing these issues will require concerted efforts from district leaders, educators, staff, and the broader community to ensure that the focus remains on putting children first. View report at.