Convenience Big Store: Why more Texas students are getting zeros on their STAAR essays

Hi Houston,

My name is Nusaiba, and I'm new on the Houston Chronicle's education team. I've been covering HISD for nearly two months now, and this is my first time writing the newsletter. You might have spotted my byline on our reports of community protests on behalf of principal terminations, teacher contract delays and preliminary STAAR results.

I've seen the community's passion and involvement for Houston's students. I'm excited to delve deeper into HISD stories and cover education news for y'all.

HISD news is somewhat slower during summer break, but there's more test results — this time NWEA MAP results— and the district's ongoing bid for voter support for its potential $4.4 billion bond. My colleague Megan Menchaca also took a look at the meeting minutes for the District Advisory Committee, and it turns out more than one-third of the committee's members have mostly been absent from meetings this year. You can read more about that below.

This Week's Must Read:

The Texas Education Agency replaced one of two state-appointed conservators Monday after they stepped down from their job overseeing HISD's efforts to improve special education compliance.
An independent examiner heard the case of teacher union leader Michelle Williams this week where HISD sought to dismiss Williams from her position as a third-grade math teacher. The examiner's recommendation in the case is expected in July, after which the board will made a final decision on Williams' job status.

Parents and educators: Have you left HISD? Reply to this email to tell us where you went and why.

Nusaiba Mizan, Education reporter

Nusaiba.Mizan@houstonchronicle.com

By the Numbers: Zeroes spike on 2024 STAAR essays

Photo by: Anastasia Goodwin

The share of Texas 3rd through 8th grade students who received zeroes on their STAAR extended essay responses grew by almost six percentage points this year, with students in special groupings like emergent bilingual and economically disadvantaged performing even worse, according to newly released Texas Education Agency data for the 2023-24 school year.

About 41% of the more than 70,000 HISD students who took essay exams this year received zeroes, compared to about 35% statewide.

The Texas Education Agency attributed the spikes in zeroes to variance to the difficulty of essay questions this year, but some school leaders and parents have voiced concerns that the increases may be the result of the automated grading system the agency used to score essays this year.

-Reporter Ana Goodwin

What Else Happened This Week

Houston ISD board of managers member Audrey Momanaee listens to public speakers during a Houston ISD board of managers at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Houston. In them meeting, the last of the 2023-2024 school year, discussed rest results from the district's NWEA Map Growth test. The assessment measures achievement and growth in K–12 math, reading, language usage, and science

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

In rare move, HISD school board rejects agenda item in latest meeting

The HISD Board of Managers rejected an agenda item during their meeting Thursday in one of its largest public disagreements with district leaders since the state takeover began last year.

Parents and students protested outside Gary L. Herod Elementary School in the in the Maplewood/Meyerland West area in Southwest Houston, TX on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Parents say their principal and several teachers are being being forced out.

Photo by: Sharon Steinmann

Parents want transparency as HISD quickly hires new principals

Some schools did not receive community meetings for principal hiring, while others did.

A dual language program teacher is teaching fourth grade science on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 at Gregg Elementary School in Houston.

Photo by: Yi-Chin Lee/Staff Photographer

HISD's summer school issues are still confusing frustrated parents

Some parents shared they had issues getting answers on summer school from the district and suggested solutions.

LaKia Jackson, principal, talks about wall damage in a temporary building used as classrooms at Fondren Middle School, 6333 S. Braeswood Blvd., Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Melissa Phillip, Staff Photographer

HISD principals say $4.4B bond would fix campus infrastructure issues

Multiple Houston ISD principals said this week that their campuses have urgent infrastructure needs that the district's proposed $4.4 billion school bond would address if approved.

Parents and community members protest outside Cage Elementary and Project Chrysalis Middle School, two New Education System-aligned schools that share the same facility and administration Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 in Houston. The protesters chanted for the ouster for state appointed superintendent Mike Miles.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

HISD bond's $580M plan for co-location raises concerns for some

Community members fear schools will lose identity if they share campuses, as planned in HISD's $4 billion bond.

Houston ISD board of managers member Audrey Momanaee listens as Superintendent Mike Miles presents on the district's STAAR testing results for the 2023-2024 school year during a Houston ISD board of managers at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

HISD NWEA MAP scores show above average growth in reading, math

Houston ISD reported that its students had above average growth on the reading and math NWEA MAP exams but below average growth on the science exams in May.

Several HISD District Advisory Committee members don't show up to meetings. Should they have to?

More than one third of the members of a district committee responsible for reviewing HISD's educational plans, programs and performance objectives have largely been absent from meetings this year, according to the committee's minutes, Megan Menchaca reports.

This 60-member District Advisory Committee— made up of elected or appointed teachers, parents and community members— also provides input to state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and other district leaders.

More than 20 members appear to have stopped attending the monthly meetings after the group voted to advance HISD's District of Innovation plan in November, sparking discussion on whether to change informal expectations or board policy to improve member attendance.

There are no formal requirements in board policy for individual committee members, including whether they need to attend meetings. There is also no criteria to justify a removal of members— like a lack of attendance.

You can read more here.

The Calendar Ahead

• July 4: School holiday for Independence Day
• July 19: HISD summer school courses end
• Aug. 2: K-12 School Choice Phase II application deadline

Shoutout

Congratulations to HISD student Naomi Alade for winning gold at the 2024 Luxembourg Open for taekwondo!

Congratulations to Naomi Alade at Carnegie Vanguard High School for winning gold in the Senior Female +73kg category at the 2024 Luxembourg Open for taekwondo. Naomi competed against world-class athletes, including future Olympians.

Know a person or program who deserves a shoutout? Let us know here or by replying to this email.

Meet The Team

Photo by: Susan Barber

Our HISD coverage is fueled by reporting from Megan Menchaca, Nusaiba Mizan, Sam González Kelly and Anastasia Goodwin. Assistant City Editor Jennifer Radcliffe also helps contribute to this newsletter.

You can reach out to any of them by emailing them at their firstname.lastname@houstonchronicle.com, filling out this survey or by replying directly to this email.