At schools across Houston, students and parents protest Texas Education Agencyโs takeover of stateโs largest district
At one elementary school, protesters chanted as the school day was about to begin. Parents sought petition signatures at a high school. The demonstrations are planned throughout the day.
TEA Takeover: Tensions rise at first community meeting as congresswoman addresses crowd, questions go unanswered
The Texas Education Agency is hosting its first of four community meetings Tuesday night, nearly a week after the state announced it would move forward with a takeover of its largest school district.
Greater Houston Coalition Justice files lawsuit on behalf of Houston ISD against TEA for โdiscriminationโ
The Greater Houston Coalition Justice announced Thursday the filing of a lawsuit for discrimination against the Texas Education Agency on behalf of the Houston Independent School District following the agencyโs decision to take over the school district, according to a news release.
Houston ISD families blast the stateโs takeover of the district as an intervention that wonโt improve student learning
Parents and students of the Houston Independent School District decried the stateโs decision to take control of the school system. Despite the news, many questions remain about how it would affect them.
Texas Supreme Court weighs whether to allow stateโs education agency to oust Houston school board
Among other issues, the court will consider whether a law that updated the education code last year has any bearing on TEA Commissioner Mike Morathโs attempt to replace HISDโs board members over low academic scores.
Houston ISD answers parentsโ back to school questions
KPRC 2 is hosting a live panel discussion to help prepare families in the Houston ISD to head back to school. We'll talk campus safety, the impact of the teacher shortage on your child's classroom, school bus routes, and the cost of everything from cafeteria meals to extracurriculurs.
Elementary school teacher charged with sexual assault amid claims he repeatedly groped a student while classmates were at recess
A former elementary school teacher in Houston Independent School District has been arrested after allegations arose that he inappropriately touched a second grade student at Ashford Elementary multiple times in 2016.
Cy-Fair ISD trustee โno longer employedโ with IT company after comments made regarding Black teachers
The Cy-Fair ISD trustee who has been under recent criticism for race-related comments he made regarding Black teachers in the district has been released from the technology company where he worked, his former employer announced.
Madison High School students walk out in response to explicit audio recording posted on social media: Hereโs what HISD is saying about the walkout
Students at James Madison High School walked out of class Thursday morning after a recording surfaced on social media. The recording is said to be of Madison High School employees who allegedly used โsexually explicit languageโ in front of students, Gerry Monroe, a Houston-area education advocate told KPRC 2.
Houston ISD superintendent welcomes students back to school
Itโs a big day for thousands of students in the Houston area as it is back to school for the largest district in the state of Texas. Thousands of students will be heading back to school. Houston ISD Superintendent Millard House made several stops Monday morning. The first was at Benbrook Elementary School, where he welcomed students with breakfast.
โStanding up for our childrenโ: Judge Lina Hidalgo in support of mask mandate for students in Harris County
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo discussed her support for Houston ISD Superintendent Millard House II Tuesday on his desire to have a mask mandate for the district, as well as her feelings about Gov. Greg Abbott.
The Wrap: Girls Basketball Playoffs Scores, Highlights, Interviews, Photos (Area)
1 Cypress Creek defeats Cinco Ranch 67-29Cypress Creek looked the part on Saturday. After a 10-point first quarter, Cypress Creek locked down to allow seven total points over the next two quarters. Cypress Creek Player of the Game - Kyndall HunterPhoto Gallery: Cypress Creek vs Cinco Ranch (Photos by Bradley Collier/VYPE)Langham Creek defeats Grand Oaks 58-37โLangham Creek is moving on in the playoffs with a big win over Grand Oaks on Saturday. Houston Heights defeats Ridge Point 61-58Heights is into the Regional Quarterfinals for a second-straight year. After a three-point victory over Ridge Point, the Bulldogs move on to face Cypress Creek in the next round.
The Wrap: Boys Basketball Playoffs Highlights, Interviews, Scores (Bi-District)
Even though it was delayed by just a few days, the 2021 UIL Boys Basketball playoffs have officially begun in Houston. We will continue to update this story throughout the day as scores, highlights and more comes in. Jack Yates defeats Sealy 95-71Jack Yates showed its force again as it not suprisingly opened the playoffs with a double-digit win and nearly hitting the 100-point mark. Memorial defeats Westbury 62-51The Mustangs win first round of the playoffs 62-51!! AdFort Bend Hightower defeats Waltrip 100-43Hightower Boys with the win over Waltrip.
DATA: Houston-area school districts see troubling failure rates for first grading period
No matter the school district, failure rates for the first grading period, among those learning virtually, are much higher than failure rates during the same period last year, according to an analysis of data conducted by KPRC 2. After reporting 42% of students enrolled in Houston Independent School District failed at least one course during the first six weeks of the school year, KPRC 2 sent requests to 10 Houston-area school districts for failure rates among virtual students vs in-person students. As more requests are fulfilled, KPRC 2 will continue to update the data provided:Houston Independent School DistrictWhile the Houston Independent School District is Texasโ largest school district, itโs far from alone in documenting problems associated with virtual learning. Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School DistrictForty-four percent of high school students enrolled in virtual learning failed at least one course during the first grading period, data released by Cy-Fair ISD confirmed. Thirty-eight percent of middle school students learning virtually failed at least one course, according to the data.
HISD changes COVID-19 gauge and transition process
HOUSTON โ Houston ISD has made another policy change in the fight against COVID-19. Per the HISD COVID Gauge, the move to orange requires the average to be between 4 and 7 percent.โHowever, Harris County was at 7.6 percent positivity rate on Monday. We hear about all the cases that are happening on campuses,โ said Zeph Capo with the Houston Teachers Federation. Capo with the Houston Teachers Federation believes the district is making changes with pressure from the state. Under the previous guidelines, the district would be in level red and it would mean closing schools and switching to online learning only.
HISD students return to in-person learning since pandemic began
HOUSTON โ Houston ISD students returned for in-person learning Monday for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. โIโm very excited, heโs very excited,โ said one mother at Young Elementary School. โStudents will walk into the cafeteria, theyโre gonna sanitize their hands, theyโre gonna get their lunch, theyโre gonna go to an assigned seat,โ said Principal Matthew Schwer of Eliot Elementary School. The district said, for now, buses will only be available for special education, homeless, elementary and specialty school students. In all, HISD estimated roughly 80,000 enrolled students would return for in-person learning Monday.
Texans visit Houston ISD for storytime in celebration of Founderโs Day honoring Bob McNair
The Texans are paying visits to Houston ISD students Tuesday for storytime in recognition of Founderโs Day. This year, members of the Texans organization are participating in a reading program in over 100 classrooms. We are LIVE from Trinity UMC where our sanctuaries of learning students from @BlackshearEHISD are getting a surprise reading from the @HoustonTexans and @TexansTORO1 in honor of the late Bob McNair and Founders Day! pic.twitter.com/eIsmeXVtBm โ Houston ISD (@HoustonISD) October 6, 2020Founderโs Day is celebrated annually on October 6 honoring the legacy of late founder and CEO Bob McNair. โThis day each year will be all about our internal team taking a moment to reflect on our organizationโs Founder and uniting to make a difference in the Houston community,โ Houston Texans president Jamey Rootes said.
HISD website appears to crash on first day of virtual classes
HOUSTON โ As students in the stateโs largest school district started their virtual classes Tuesday, some parents reported having trouble connecting to the districtโs website. KPRC 2 attempted to visit the official website for the Houston Independent School District several times Tuesday morning and received a runtime error and a 504 error. They will all be in virtual learning until at least Oct. 19, when some are scheduled to return to in-person learning. According to Lathan, about 12,000 students still do not have devices for virtual learning, but that does not mean they will be left behind. The district launched 36 digital learning centers for kids who still do not have what they need to participate in virtual school.
What you need to know about shopping for school supplies this year
Supplies you need for virtual learningSome schools are distributing virtual school supply lists and separate lists for when students go back to the classroom. Sales of traditional school supplies are down 12%. Will school supplies still be available when you need them? โWe are not using community supplies anymore.โDonโt forget Texasโ Tax-Free weekendWith everything going on, you may have forgotten about Texasโ tax-free weekend. That is when school supplies and clothes and most items under $100 sold in stores and online are tax-free.
Houston ISD will not require students to wear uniforms this school year
Students attending school in Houston ISD this year wonโt have to wear a uniform. The news was posted by Houston ISD Family & Community Engagement on Twitter and retweeted by the district. Students are not require to wear them during the 2020-21 #schoolyear-------------------------------------ยฟTiene preguntas sobre los uniformes escolares en #HISD? The district recently announced the first day of school has been postponed from Monday, Aug. 24 to Tuesday, Sept. 8, and all students will engage in at-home virtual instruction through Friday, Oct. 16. For more information and the latest updates regarding Houston ISDโs reopening plan, click here.
Houston ISD resumes free curbside meal pick-up at 12 locations
Houston Independent School District has resumed its curbside summer meals program. The district is providing free student meals at 12 locations, seven of which are operating in partnership with the Houston Food Bank. Families are able to pick up multiple daysโ worth of student meals on Mondays and Thursdays through August 31. The seven sites in partnership with the Houston Food Bank are located at:Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center9400 Irvington Blvd. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.Milby High School1601 Broadway St.10 a.m. - 1 p.m.Lawson Middle School14000 Stancliff St.10 a.m. - 1 p.m.Kashmere High School6900 Wileyvale St.
Houston ISD will open on Sept. 8. How does that compare to other school districts in the area and across the Texas?
Houston ISD will re-open on Sept. 8 and offer online learning for six weeks. How does that plan compare to other area districts and some of the larger ones across Texas? Area districtsThe majority of area school districts will start school between Aug. 17 and Aug. 24. Goose Creek ISD is the only other school district so far with a start date of Sept. 8 and students there will begin the year virtually for three weeks. Alief ISD, the first school district in the area to announce they will be starting the year virtually, will be the earliest to start off the 2020-2021 school year on Aug. 6.
Presidents of Texasโ 10 largest school boards send letter to Gov. Abbott about reopening schools
The presidents of the 10 largest school boards in Texas have come together to write a letter to Gov. โSchool districts require stability to open without fear of financial losses, and we need flexibility to open school in a manner we determine best for each community,โ the letter reads. Secondly, the presidents requested that Abbott allow school districts the flexibility to design instructional systems that meet the needs of families and staff given local health conditions. The board called on Abbott to respond with his decisions by July 17 so that they can better inform their local school districts on the mentioned issues. The presidents of both the Aldine and Houston school boards were among those who signed the letter.
Here are 7 key dates to know if you have a student attending school in Houston ISD
Houston ISD has announced on Wednesday that the district will begin the school year with all students participating in entirely virtual instruction. September 8, 2020: First day of schoolThe first day of school will begin virtually, with all students participating in remote learning. October 16, 2020: Last day of entirely virtual instructionOctober 16 marks the last day of the first grading period. January 29, 2021: Fall semester endsDue to the delayed start of the school year, the fall semester will end on January 29, 2021. June 11, 2021: Last day of schoolThe last day of the 2020-21 school year is June 11, 2021.
Houston ISD to start year online; Athletics will "tentatively" schedule games awaiting UIL guidance
Houston ISD will begin the 2020 school year exclusively online for the first six weeks. According to the Houston ISD re-opening plan, the school year will begin September 8 and be only online for the first six weeks until October 16. As far as athletics goes the following is what the plan states. This covers playing games, screening protocols and fan attendance. Plans will be adjusted as COVID-19 conditions change.Coaches and student athletes will undergo entry screening in alignment with district screening protocols at all practices, sub-varsity games, and games played in district facilities.
Houston ISD: What you need to know about the districtโs 2020-2021 school plans
Virtual instruction for the district begins on September 8 and will continue for six weeks through October 16. Houston ISD plans to offer face-to-face instruction for all students beginning October 19. PPE ProtocolsMasks will be provided to students, employees, and visitors if they do not have one. Instruction methods offeredHouston ISD plans to offer both face-to-face and virtual instruction for the upcoming school year. Face-to-faceHouston ISD plans to offer face-to-face instruction for all students beginning October 19.
HISD faces teacher shortage amid COVID-19; seeking to hire 275 teachers
HOUSTON โ As administrators prepare for the start of the new school year, the Houston Independent School District said it still needs to hire roughly 275 teachers. As of Wednesday night, the district had more than 360 certified teacher jobs posted online. But Zeph Capo, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, said the number of openings could soon rise as the deadline approaches for teachers to resign. HISD is hosting a virtual teacher job fair on July 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Teachers who plan to resign before the new school year must notify the district by Friday night.
What you need to know about HISDโs parent survey for the 2020-2021 school year
HOUSTON โ HISD is asking for parent feedback as they prepare for the 2020-2021 school year. The survey was first announced last Thursday, which allows parents and teachers a chance to provide feedback on distance learning and possible reopening scenarios once school begins in August. Possible reopening scenarios include face-to-face classes with reduced seating, continuing with distance learning, or hybrid learning. The survey asks questions about each childโs learning experience with distance learning during the school closure in the spring. To learn more about the 2020-2021 school year plan, click here.
Congrats, graduates: Watch HISDโs virtual high school graduations here
HOUSTON โ While COVID-19 has prevented several Houston-area graduates from participating in a traditional graduation ceremony, Houston ISD is ensuring students are able to be recognized for their major milestone and once-in-a-lifetime achievement. Click on the following links to watch your seniorโs high school graduation at 1 p.m.:
Houston ISD has released a proposed 2020-2021 school calendar. Hereโs how you can provide feedback.
HOUSTON โ Houston ISD has released a proposed 2020-2021 calendar and the community now has a chance to provide feedback. A survey was released last week to allow community members, students, staff and faculty the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed year-round school calendar. According to a statement released Monday afternoon, the proposed 2020-2021 calendar will have an earlier start date of Aug. 13, instead of the fourth Monday of August. The last day of school would be June 16, 2021, according to the calendar. To read the full 2020-2021 proposed calendar year which includes holidays, teacher-in service days and breaks, click here.
KPRC Senior Scholarships: A look back at 2019โs winners
HOUSTON โ Since 2015, KPRC Channel 2 has been awarding twenty scholarships to deserving high school seniors. The winning students and schools have been featured weekly in KPRCโs newscasts. Here are a few winners from 2019โฒs Senior Scholarships. Angela Chan - Westfield High School, Spring ISDNaya Edwards - North Shore Senior Highschool, Galena Park ISDWill Ashworth - Klein Forest Highschool, Klein ISDAndy Nguyen - Westside High School, Houston ISDMarcela Molina - Sharpstown International School, Houston ISDSavannah Lawerence - La Porte High School, La Porte ISDJared Hallmark - Dulles High School, Fort Bend ISDNishat Nabi - Cypress Ranch High School, Cy-Fair ISDIsaiah Osazuwa - Alief Taylor High Shcool, Alief ISD
2 HISD football games rescheduled from Saturday to Monday night
HOUSTON โ Two Houston ISD high school football games have been rescheduled due to Saturday's inclement weather. Wheatley vs. Washington and Davis vs. Yates varsity football games have been moved to Monday night. The Wheatley-Washington football game has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at Barnett Stadium. The Davis-Yates game has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at Dyer Stadium. All other HISD varsity football games originally scheduled for Saturday will be held earlier at the following times:Milby vs. Chavez Barnett Stadium 11 a.m.Madison vs. Sharpstown Butler Stadium 11 a.m.Houston vs. Bellaire Cowart Stadium 11 a.m.Lamar vs. Westbury Delmar Stadium 11 a.m.No other district events are affected
Back to school: HISD offers free lunches for students starting in 2014
HOUSTON โ At the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, Houston ISD will implement an initiative to make sure every student gets lunch at school. "We are serving free lunch at 166 schools. Now, this is free to all students. For a list of every school offering students a free lunch, click here. On high school campuses, students will have the choice of grabbing a prepacked brown bag lunch if they don't want to wait in line.