Houston Matters

Teacher pay lawsuit (Sept. 1, 2023)

Posted on · On Friday's show: The head of the Houston Federation of Teachers explains why her organization is suing over HISD’s plan to tie teacher pay, in part, to test scores. And we learn why a few hundred particle physicists are descending on Houston next week.

Houston Federation of Teachers

HISD

Houston ISD teachers’ union granted temporary restraining order in lawsuit over new performance evaluation criteria

Posted on · The lawsuit, filed against state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles and the HISD board of managers, claims district and campus stakeholders were not properly consulted before a new teacher evaluation system was adopted. A judge's ruling Thursday means the new criteria cannot be implemented at least until the next court hearing on Sept. 11.

Houston Matters

Houstonians helping with Idalia relief (Aug. 31, 2023)

Posted on · On Thursday's show: What is now Tropical Storm Idalia continues to roll through the southeast’s Atlantic coast, Houstonians are poised to help folks in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers

HISD

Houston ISD teachers’ union sues Mike Miles, board of managers over new evaluation system

Posted on · The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by the Houston Federation of Teachers, seeks an injunction and claims HISD leaders violated state law by not consulting districtwide and campus-level decision-making committees before adopting new evaluation criteria.

Mike Miles Cameras

HISD

Houston ISD board considers giving Mike Miles more power, hiring non-certified teachers, changing union consultation rules

Posted on · The Houston ISD Board of Managers met Thursday night to discuss potential policies that, if approved, would increase state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles’ power. Critics argue the changes would give him a “blank check.”

Houston Matters

Teachers union reacts to new HISD leadership (June 2, 2023)

Posted on · On Friday's show: Now that we know who is going to lead Houston ISD under the state takeover, how is it sitting with area educators? We get reaction from the Houston Federation of Teachers to a new superintendent and new board of managers running the district.

Education

Anti-CRT, Pro-charter PAC money floods school board and State Board of Education campaigns across Texas

Posted on · From local school boards to the State Board of Education, wealthy donors are spending big money in the campaigns that will decide the role of charter schools in Texas public education, what books students can read and how teachers discuss race and gender.