Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
Pugh Elementary School in East Houston has lost its previous welcoming charm for Celina Manzano.
After the state’s recently appointed superintendent took charge, Manzano’s family, who primarily speaks Spanish, faced a significant change. Previously, her son Maycol’s teachers used to assist them by providing translations of his homework and allocating time for her to seek clarification. However, following the superintendent’s leadership, the majority of these teachers chose to leave as they were compelled to reapply for their positions.
According to Manzano, there is a severe lack of accommodations for Spanish speakers. Maycol, who recently began second grade, has expressed his reluctance to continue attending school.
The Houston Independent School District has been in its first school year for over a month now, following the removal of its democratically elected school board by the state and the appointment of Superintendent Mike Miles. Spanish-speaking families have been expressing their concerns, claiming that they are not receiving the necessary support. Approximately 36% of students in Houston ISD are either bilingual or English learners.
In response to a prolonged history of inadequate academic achievements at a specific campus, the state assumed control of the district. As a result, Pugh Elementary and over 80 other schools now function under the leadership of Miles and his “New Education System.” Miles characterizes this system as an inventive staffing approach that prioritizes classroom instruction and enhanced student performance.
In dual-language schools like Pugh, classes used to be divided equally between English and Spanish. Miles had previously stated that dual-language education would persist and even grow under the NES model. However, parents argue that the level of support for Spanish speakers has significantly declined.
The exclusive instruction of the “Science of Reading” course is limited to the English language, specifically focusing on psychology and neuroscience studies that explore how children acquire reading abilities and the necessary skills for reading proficiency.
Miles clarified his approach to families during a community meeting in July, stating, “To read effectively, decoding skills are crucial, and to decode successfully, it must be done in English.” He further emphasized that their educational program would prioritize the science of reading, focusing on English language comprehension and decoding skills. Additionally, he assured Spanish-speaking English learners that their native language would be supported through supplementary materials.
Miles told The Houston Chronicle last month he would try to keep reading instruction as close as possible to the 50-50 model, but his priority would be teaching children the science of reading, even if the uneven split means losing funding. State law requires dual-language programs to divide instruction equally between English and an English learner’s native language.
Miles neither replied to an interview request nor responded to emailed questions.
According to parents, the changes have surpassed mere modifications, as they highlight that their children are currently devoid of any Spanish instruction or support throughout the entire school year.
According to Marta Quinteros, her 8-year-old son Angel is facing challenges in speaking and understanding English. She believes that the district’s efforts to support her son this year are not on par with those of the previous year.
Quinteros mentioned that when she inquired with teachers and administrators at Scroggins Elementary School about the possibility of explaining lessons at a slower pace or in Spanish for her son, they informed her that it was not feasible.
Angel has experienced bullying as well, but he confided in Quinteros that he hasn’t shared this with anyone at school due to fear that school authorities might insist on him speaking English, which he doesn’t feel confident in doing.
Quinteros said her son has told her, “I refuse to learn English, I absolutely won’t.”
According to Duncan Klussmann, a clinical assistant professor of school leadership at the University of Houston, the reforms implemented by Miles are negatively impacting Spanish-speaking and bilingual families as they restrict the ability to tailor students’ learning experiences.
He stated that in education, it is well-known that when 1,000 students enter a building every day, they each possess unique needs that require attention. However, it remains uncertain whether the current system will effectively cater to the needs of bilingual students.
Miles’ leadership and vision for the district have been characterized by public education observers, teachers, and parents as having a military-like approach and being focused primarily on test scores.
Miles has faced criticism from multiple Houston ISD teachers and community members for his inflexible approach, as he stated that individuals who are dissatisfied with his reforms can opt to exit the district.
“If they don’t want to work in that kind of culture, they need to make the decisions that’s right for them,” he said at a Texas Tribune Festival event in Austin last month.
As part of the NES schools’ significant immediate changes, every teacher had to undergo a reapplication process without any assurance of being rehired. Those who remained are now subject to monitoring to ensure their adherence to the curriculum and instructional materials set by Miles’ leadership team.
According to educators, Miles’ system is characterized by a inflexible teaching approach. They are required to adhere to a strict teaching schedule, which has been implemented by district leaders to minimize the amount of time teachers spend on curriculum preparation. Critics argue that this hinders educators’ autonomy in determining their teaching methods for their classes.
According to anonymous teachers who spoke to the Tribune, they expressed concerns about Miles’ system and requested to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation. They mentioned that Miles’ system prohibits them from revisiting lessons, even if they believe students haven’t fully grasped the material. Additionally, they are required to skip ice breakers or socializing activities in their classes. To ensure compliance with the curriculum, Miles has implemented monitors in NES schools.
Miles believes the bad experiences some teachers have described are purely anecdotal and has framed them as examples of the “status quo” thinking prevalent in the state’s education system.
According to David DeMatthews, an associate professor of educational leadership and policy at the University of Texas at Austin, Miles’ approach is expected to increase test scores. However, DeMatthews is skeptical about the system’s ability to generate long-term academic improvements or foster an environment that promotes effective learning.
DeMatthews expressed his belief that such teaching methods lack long-term engagement and fail to provide a fulfilling experience for educators. He equated this approach to education to the fast-food industry, implying its lack of depth and substance.
However, Miles also enjoys the support of certain individuals who are hopeful for his achievements. Sue Deigaard, a former member of the Houston ISD school board, acknowledges that although Miles’ reforms have been sudden, they were likely necessary for the district.
Deigaard praised the admirable approach of not wanting to waste another year for students who are lagging behind. “Our children have already endured enough years of lost opportunities,” she added.
However, she emphasized that the new leadership should have made a greater effort to gather input from the community, particularly from individuals on campuses that have undergone significant transformations.
Klussmann emphasized that the fundamental concern regarding the new system lies in whether Houston ISD leadership will provide families with the opportunity to opt out if they find it unsatisfactory. This is particularly significant given the recent endeavors by Republicans to grant parents greater involvement in decisions regarding their children’s education. The concept of “school choice,” advocated by certain Republican leaders, suggests that allowing parents to utilize state funds for their children’s private schooling would grant low-income families the ability to depart from their current school district if they are dissatisfied.
Last week, Gov. Greg Abbott called state lawmakers to return to Austin for a special legislative session starting on Oct. 9. He didn’t indicate what the focus of the session will be but he has long said it would be on school choice, one of his biggest priorities this year.
Klussmann stated that state leadership and the Legislature prioritized parental choice in the past year. He believes that parents should have the authority to decide the kind of education their child receives. Klussmann also mentioned that Houston ISD’s decision on allowing parents to opt out will serve as a significant evaluation at the state level.
According to Manzano, she considers herself fortunate to reside within a school zone that grants her the option to switch districts if she remains dissatisfied with the modifications made at Houston ISD. Specifically, she could transfer to Galena Park ISD situated east of Houston. However, numerous parents lack this alternative, and as a result, their children are compelled to adhere to the new regulations or risk falling behind.
If things remain unchanged, both Manzano and Quinteros will seek alternative options for their children’s education.
Manzano expressed his discontent with the current situation, stating, “Should things persist in such a manner, I will be compelled to withdraw my son from this school.”
Disclosure: University of Texas at Austin and University of Houston have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
