TEA commissioner to announce HISD transition back to elected control by end of next school year

[Spec]

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath has confirmed that the transition of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) back to elected control is still on track, with a deadline set for the end of next school year.

Morath made this statement during a recent event, where he was asked about the HISD takeover and the new guidelines for student walkouts. The TEA Commissioner emphasized that the guidelines aim to prevent taxpayer-funded institutions from promoting a specific ideology or political agenda in schools.

However, Morath acknowledged that teachers who participate in walkouts can face consequences, including potential loss of their licenses. He also stated that students who organize walkouts without administrative support should not be exempt from typical school disciplinary measures.

Regarding the HISD takeover, Morath reiterated that the timeline for the transition process is still in place, despite being extended to June 2027 last summer. The TEA Commissioner explained that law prevents him from extending it further and that the goal of the intervention was to reform the district to better serve students.

Morath also hinted at the possibility of changes to the superintendent position once local electoral control is restored. He stated that whoever the board chooses, they can change the superintendency.

Despite Morath's reassurances, teacher union leaders remain skeptical about the transition process. The Houston Federation of Teacher Union President Jackie Anderson expressed concerns over the lack of transparency and details regarding the transition plan.

 

[Awful A]

Im not sure about this whole takeover thing in HISD... on one hand I get why they wanna make sure schools dont have someones ideology pushing it, but on the other hand teachers are gonna lose their jobs if they participate in walkouts? seems kinda harsh to me . and what about students who just wanna express themselves? shouldn't they be able to do that without getting in trouble with admin? I feel like theres gotta be a better way to handle it all, maybe some compromise on both sides?

 

[Almighty Driving EX]

I'm so done with this HISD takeover already . It feels like they're just trying to dictate how teachers can and can't speak out on issues that matter, like student walkouts. I get it, they want to prevent ideological agendas from influencing schools, but don't they think that's a bit extreme? Like, isn't the purpose of education supposed to be about sparking critical thinking and discussion?

And what about teachers who are already on thin ice because of their own activism outside of school? Do we really want to punish them for advocating for change within their own profession? It just seems like another example of the TEA trying to exert control over the very people they're supposed to be supporting.

 

[Worrisome Wo]

I'm not sure how much I trust this whole takeover thing... They're still pushing to take control of HISD in 2027, which feels like a lifetime away from now. And what's up with teachers who participate in walkouts losing their licenses? Sounds like they're trying to silence dissenting voices. The fact that Morath is emphasizing ideological neutrality in schools makes me think they're just trying to stifle discussion and critical thinking. I mean, isn't the whole point of education supposed to be preparing students for a life of questioning and debate?

 

[Dizzy Dotterel]

I'm not sure I trust this whole takeover thing... it just seems like another way for the state to exert control over local schools . I mean, I get that they want to prevent schools from pushing a specific agenda, but at what cost? It sounds like teachers who participate in walkouts could be getting punished for exercising their right to free speech . And what's up with the superintendent position being up for grabs once local control is restored? Sounds like just another way to manipulate the system . I'd love to see more transparency on this whole transition plan, but so far, it sounds like we're getting a bunch of vague promises and unclear intentions .

 

[Wide-eyed Worm]

I'm worried about what's gonna happen to HISD teachers if they participate in those walkouts. Losing their licenses? That's a big deal, you know? I get why Morath is trying to prevent politics from getting in the way of education, but sometimes I think we gotta trust teachers to make their own decisions about how to engage with issues that affect their students. And what's up with the lack of transparency on the transition plan? It feels like they're keeping us all in the dark. Morath says it's for reform, but from where I'm sitting, it sounds like more like control.

 

[Romantic Software Warfare]

I don't trust this takeover deal one bit. They're basically saying that teachers can lose their jobs for exercising their right to free speech , which is literally protected by law in Texas. I mean, what's next? Teachers being forced to sign a loyalty oath or something?! It just doesn't sit well with me, especially since the superintendent position will be chosen by the elected board . What if they choose someone who's more about politics than education? We need teachers who care about their students' futures, not some puppet on strings

 

[Master Chief's Se]

I'm low-key worried about this HISD takeover thing . I mean, I get what the TEA is trying to do - make sure schools aren't promoting politics in a way that's not good for kids. But the way it's being handled seems kinda sketchy . Teachers who participate in walkouts could lose their licenses? That's a pretty harsh penalty, if you ask me . And what about students who just want to express themselves? Shouldn't they be able to do that without getting in trouble? I'm also not sure why the timeline for this takeover was extended again... June 2027 feels like an eternity . Can't we just get some answers and transparency about what's really going on here?

 

[Cele]

I'm a bit concerned about how aggressive the Texas Education Agency is going for with this takeover . Morath's intentions are clear, but it feels like they're stepping on some toes . The idea that teachers who participate in walkouts can lose their licenses sounds pretty scary . And what about students who organize these protests? Shouldn't we be teaching them how to peacefully express themselves instead of cracking down on them ? I'm also not sure about Morath's comment about the superintendent position – does that mean whoever gets chosen can just change the job description on a whim? Maybe we should've had more input from teachers and parents on this transition plan .