Good intentions... bad implementation - Anonymous employee Houston ISD Employee Review

3.0
15 Apr 2010
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

HISD is a monster of a school district. It provides opportunities in many different educational settings, such as charter schools, magnet schools, and regular public schools. Once you're in, it's easy to move around if a particular campus is not to your liking. For the most part, the other teachers are helpful and down-to-earth. This, of course, varies from campus to campus.

Cons

HISD is a monster of a school district. Yes, this is a pro, but mostly a con. The district is too entranced in accountability measures and meeting adequate yearly progress benchmarks. All the students end up doing is testing. All the teachers end up doing is teaching how to take a particular test or analyzing data based on performances on tests. To add insult to injury, mandates are pushed down at will, and teachers are left to implement new changes to improve performance without adequate support, resources, training, or (most importantly) time. Teachers and support staff are asked to do the impossible while given few means of achieving those goals. It makes for a very stressful and frustrating work environment. All that... without even considering the type of student population you may be faced with... That's an entirely different story.

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5.0
4 May 2026
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CEO approval
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Pros

Great work environment to be in.

Cons

Far drive to go to work.

1.0
26 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You get a study paycheck. I had amazing co-workers who where supportive.

Cons

Bad leadership. You will be blamed for issues and problems even if they aren't clear about expectations or mistakes where made by them. Don't expect a fair evaluation system either. I was under 3-4 at any given time. (Part of your evaluation is how much you do for work outside of work hours too.) You will be reminded that you are a salary employee and that Texas is an at will state constantly. You will be awarded leadership programs that if you refuse to to do or are not able to do during your time off will count against your evaluation.

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