Nine More Houston ISD Schools Could Join Controversial NES Program

District leaders say some principals are voluntarily opting into the New Education System model.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:53pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus scene of a diverse urban school campus, with blurred shapes and colors representing the complex challenges facing the district.The expansion of Houston ISD's controversial NES program raises questions about the balance between additional resources and reduced autonomy for educators and families.Houston Today

Nine additional campuses in Houston Independent School District could soon be added to the district's New Education System (NES) program, as leaders say some principals are voluntarily opting into the model. The potential expansion comes three years into the state's takeover of HISD, which has sparked ongoing debate across the community.

Why it matters

The NES program, launched in 2023, has been a point of contention among educators and families due to its centralized curriculum, extended school hours, and reduced autonomy for principals and teachers, despite the added resources it provides to historically low-performing schools.

The details

A district spokesperson said administrators at nine schools have expressed interest in joining the NES program for the upcoming school year, citing the added resources and support tied to the model. However, HISD officials have not yet identified which specific campuses are under consideration for the expansion.

  • The NES program was launched by Superintendent Mike Miles during the 2023–24 school year.
  • The potential expansion of the NES program comes three years into the state's takeover of HISD.

The players

Houston Independent School District (HISD)

The largest school district in Texas, serving over 200,000 students across the Houston metropolitan area.

New Education System (NES)

A program launched by HISD in 2023 that provides centralized curriculum, extended school hours, and increased funding to historically low-performing schools, but also reduces autonomy for principals and teachers.

Kasey Bailey

HISD's west and central division chief, who stated that principals are drawn to the NES program after seeing improvements at existing NES campuses.

Mike Miles

The superintendent of HISD who launched the NES program in the 2023–24 school year.

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What they’re saying

“They see what's happening at other NES campuses across the district … and they know that the NES model comes with a strategic amount of resources that principals and teachers want to benefit from.”

— Kasey Bailey, HISD's west and central division chief

What’s next

HISD officials have not said when a final decision will be made on the potential expansion of the NES program to nine additional campuses.

The takeaway

The ongoing debate over the NES program highlights the complex challenges facing HISD as it seeks to improve academic performance at low-performing schools, balancing the need for additional resources and support with concerns over reduced autonomy for educators and families.