Skip to content

The Texas Observer

Since 1954

  • Join
  • Donate
  • Digital Library
  • Leak
  • Sections
  • About
  • The Magazine
  • Support
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Digital Library
  • Toggle Search Search icon
  • Sections

    • Border and Immigration
    • Civil Rights
    • Criminal Justice
    • Culture
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Extremism
    • Housing
    • Indigenous Affairs
    • Labor
    • Loon Star State
    • Politics
    • Public Health
    • Reviews
    • Rural Texas
    • Photo Essays
    • Poetry
  • About

    • About the Observer
    • Staff
    • The Texas Democracy Foundation
    • MOLLY National Journalism Prizes
    • Work for the Texas Observer
    • Syndication
  • The Magazine

    • Get the Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Library
  • Support

    • Donate
    • Become a Member
    • Legacy Giving
    • Member Portal
  • Search

Socials

  • Find the Texas Observer on Facebook
  • Find the Texas Observer on Twitter
  • Find the Texas Observer on Instagram
  • Find the Texas Observer on Mastodon
  • Find the Texas Observer on Bluesky

HISD takeover

Houston’s Top Magnet High Schools Could Become Private Partnership Charter Schools, Raising Equity Concerns

Texas' largest school district may even convert its renowned performing arts institution under a program that benefitted the state-appointed superintendent in his previous career.

by Josephine Lee

Keep Reading

A Wave of School District Takeovers Could Be Coming. Some Past Interventions Ended with More Failing Schools.

by Josephine Lee

Will a STAAR-Crossed Legislature Finally Enact Real Testing Reform? 

by Josephine Lee

TEA Exoneration of Mike Miles’ Charter Schools Leaves Questions Unanswered, Raises New Ones

by Josephine Lee

Nov 05, 2024

‘No Trust, No Bond’: Houston School Bond Fails amid State Takeover Backlash

“In my 33 years as an educator, I’ve never known teachers to come out against a bond. I’ve never seen so much community involvement and participation, mainly because we do not trust Mike Miles.”

by Josephine Lee

Jul 16, 2024

Mike Miles Moved Texas School Funds to Colorado Through a Possible Shell Corporation Without a Paper Trail

An Observer investigation has found irregularities in how the Houston ISD superintendent's Colorado charter school nonprofit did business in Texas.

by Josephine Lee

Representative Harold Dutton of Houston Feb 20, 2024

‘It’s Time for a Change’: Dem Behind HISD Takeover Faces Challengers

House Representative Harold Dutton Jr. stands behind the state takeover of the district. Can he survive another reelection after its fallout?

by Josephine Lee

Inside this month's print issue

‘The Search Committee’ Is a Subtle Rebuke of the Border Literary Canon

José Skinner’s fast-paced satire delivers sharp insights gleaned from years lived in Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley.

Keep Reading

The Magazine

A man in a red Texas Houston teachers' union t-shirt marches with hundreds of others in the streets, one fist upraised. Oct 23, 2023

‘Go Away TEA,’ Say Houston ISD Parents and Teachers

“We are professional educators. We demand to be respected.”

by Josephine Lee

Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles stars in his own musical about school reform. Aug 18, 2023

Houston ISD Takeover, The Musical

New superintendent Mike Miles put on a play to inspire teachers. Not everyone was amused.

by Josephine Lee

  • Find the Texas Observer on Facebook
  • Find the Texas Observer on Twitter
  • Find the Texas Observer on Instagram
  • Find the Texas Observer on Mastodon
  • Find the Texas Observer on Bluesky

Sections

  • Border and Immigration
  • Civil Rights
  • Criminal Justice
  • Culture
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Eye on Texas
  • Extremism
  • Housing
  • Indigenous Affairs
  • Labor
  • Loon Star State
  • Politics
  • Public Health
  • Rural Texas
  • Reviews
  • Photo Essays
  • Poetry

About

  • About the Observer
  • Staff
  • The Molly National Journalism Prize
  • The Texas Democracy Foundation
  • Republish Us (Syndication)
  • Work for the Texas Observer

The Magazine

  • Get the Magazine
  • Archives
  • Where to Find the Texas Observer
  • Digital Library

Contact

  • Contacts List
  • Leak to the Observer
  • Pitch to the Texas Observer

Support

  • Donate
  • Become a Member
  • Legacy Giving
  • Member Portal

Events

  • RSVP

Get the newsletter

Sign up for The Lede

Get the stories you need to know about each week. Delivered every Sunday.

Sign Up Now

© 2021 The Texas Observer. All rights reserved. Site made in collaboration with CMYK.

Privacy Policy • Terms and Conditions