Houston ISD implements academic reforms amid financial strain and state oversight

Houston ISD is implementing academic reforms following a state takeover. The district is incurring increased operational costs, spending millions on academic improvements such as new equipment and hiring learning coaches. Since the takeover, HISD has lost 21,000 students, which translates to approximately $190 million less in state funding. The district has pulled nearly $450 million from its rainy day reserves in the first two years of the takeover.

The financial strain includes laying off roughly 1,500 central-office staff, over 200 wraparound specialists, and eliminating 85 bus routes. Despite the challenges, one campus received its first ever A rating following the academic transformation.