‘It’s just so stressful’: HISD teachers’ pay will be based on evaluations with new system

When Mike Miles assumed the role of Superintendent of Houston ISD last year, one of his primary objectives was to reform the evaluation and compensation framework for teachers and principals within the district.

Carly, a former teacher at Benbrook Elementary within HISD, expressed deep disappointment upon leaving her position, citing concerns over the impact of Miles’ policies on students and educators alike.

Under the new system implemented by Miles, all 11,000 teachers in HISD faced heightened scrutiny from school administrators, a trend expected to continue. The district is in the process of developing a revised system that will link teacher salaries to their evaluations by 2025, with provisions to phase out the lowest-performing teachers.

The intensified evaluation process has led to increased stress among teachers, who feel their job security is at risk over factors beyond their control, such as students’ moods or behavior.

While a current HISD teacher, who preferred to remain anonymous, echoed concerns over the pressure of being evaluated under such circumstances, he feared repercussions for speaking out.

In March, widespread opposition to the superintendent’s evaluation overhaul for principals culminated in protests and a contentious board meeting that concluded with Miles retracting his proposal in the early hours of the morning.

Although Miles faced setbacks with his initial attempts to reform the evaluation system, both for principals and teachers, due to legal challenges and pushback from stakeholders, he remains committed to effecting change within HISD.

Critics, like Carly, argue that the lack of accountability, compounded by the presence of an elected board, leads to frequent disruptions that negatively impact students’ educational experiences.