Houston ISD Principals Face Tough Decisions Amid Controversial Evaluation System

Earlier this year, the principal of Love Elementary, Sean Tellez, found himself in a challenging situation. It was late January when State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles revealed a significant increase in the number of Houston ISD schools failing to meet state standards. The number rose from less than 10 in the previous school year to over 100 in the current one. Miles pledged to reverse this trend, emphasizing the need for schools to change their approach.

Love Elementary was among the schools receiving a D-plus rating and consequently, Tellez, along with 23 other principals, had a limited time frame to gather community feedback and decide whether to implement sweeping reforms under Miles’ New Education System or reject the changes.

Tellez faced intense pressure from district administrators during this decision-making period, with rumors circulating about Superintendent Miles personally getting involved. Despite opposition from parents and educators, who expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on school culture and programs, Tellez chose to reject the reforms.

Subsequently, Tellez made the difficult decision to leave Houston ISD for a position in Spring ISD. His departure followed a directive from the district informing around 120 principals that they could face removal if they did not meet proficiency standards.

Controversy Surrounding Performance Ratings

The release of performance ratings for principals stirred up further controversy within Houston ISD. The evaluation system, championed by Superintendent Mike Miles, places a heavy emphasis on student test scores and classroom observations to determine the effectiveness of principals.

Critics of the system argue that it could incentivize manipulation, leading to concerns about the accuracy and fairness of the evaluations. Tellez, among others, expressed reservations about the target distribution of performance ratings and the lack of quality feedback provided to educators under the new system.

Legal Battle with Houston Chronicle

The situation escalated when the Houston Chronicle published a list of principals who received emails about their proficiency screenings, prompting Superintendent Miles to take action. He labelled the publication of the list as “irresponsible and unethical,” launching an investigation to identify the source of the leak.

Miles threatened legal action against the Houston Chronicle for publishing the list, citing the violation of employees’ rights. However, legal experts have highlighted the protection afforded to journalists under the First Amendment in cases involving leaked information.

Despite the Chronicle removing the list from its story, the fallout from the leak continues to reverberate within the district, with questions raised about the handling of confidential information and the impact on affected principals.

In conclusion, the ongoing challenges faced by Houston ISD principals underscore the complexities and controversies surrounding educational reforms and performance evaluation systems in the public school system.