Introduction to New Curriculum
Almost every Houston ISD campus, except for five schools, will be using teaching materials, exams, and lessons designed by the district starting next school year. The 130 campuses that are part of Superintendent Mike Miles’ New Education System, an instructional reform model for the district’s lowest-performing schools, are required to use the district-developed curriculum. However, the remaining 140-plus campuses are not required to do so, yet they are opting to use it anyway.
What the New Curriculum Entails
The curriculum meets the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the state’s standards for what students should know by certain grade levels. According to HISD Chief Academic Officer Kristen Hole, the department has made changes to provide materials that help teachers "get right to that learning objective right away." This includes providing "high-level agenda slides" with suggestions for how long sections of a lesson should be, as well as visual cues to help teachers stay paced and on track.
Changes to the Curriculum
One of the changes made to the curriculum is the addition of a second novel for students in the sixth through 10th grades. The current curriculum includes one novel for grades 4-8. The district has been revising the curriculum since the state took over the district in 2023, following a string of failing ratings from the Texas Education Agency for Wheatley High School.
Feedback on the New Curriculum
Superintendent Miles believes that the fact that almost all campus administrators are choosing to use the district-developed curriculum is a sign that "it’s a really good curriculum." However, not everyone shares the same opinion. Students and parents have expressed criticisms of the new curriculum, with some saying that it feels "repetitive and robotic." Sharpstown International School 10th grader Jalen Carruthers commented, "School doesn’t feel the same anymore. It used to be creative and engaging, and now it just feels repetitive and robotic."
Student Concerns
Fellow student Micah Gabay shared a similar sentiment, stating, "We’ve always celebrated our teachers, but lately, it’s been harder to appreciate teachers when we feel like we’re not being taught. Lessons become slide shows, assignments feel like busy work, and a real connection is rare." These concerns highlight the need for the district to continue refining the curriculum to meet the needs of its students.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the new curriculum being implemented by Houston ISD has both its supporters and critics. While Superintendent Miles and many campus administrators believe it to be a "really good curriculum," students and parents have expressed concerns about its impact on the learning experience. As the district continues to refine the curriculum, it is essential to take into account the feedback from all stakeholders to ensure that it provides the best possible education for its students.
